Buongiorno! Italy, for all of it's fame and household name wine regions, is still full of undiscovered buys. Even famous Tuscany and Piedmont holds delights in good price points that will please your palate and not hurt your wallet.
2009 Vietti Barolo "Castiglione"
On Sale $42.99
The 2009 Barolo Castiglione delivers a radiant but subdued quality with polished notes of dry mineral, black fruit, tar, licorice, leather and many more levels of complexity. This entry-level Barolo demonstrates that great results are achieved in 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
94 points, The Wine Advocate
2008 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino
On Sale $62.99
The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the best wines of the year. A relatively big, voluptuous wine for the year, the 2008 impresses for its inner perfume, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Hints of leather, tobacco and dried herbs add complexity. The 2008 isn’t immediately showy, as so many recent vintages have been; instead, it is a wine built for the cellar. Still, with time in the glass, the wine’s exquisite perfume begins to emerge. In 2008, Il Poggione did not bottle a Riserva, all the juice went into the regular bottling. Brunello di Montalcino is highly vintage dependent in the market, especially in the United States. Most people won’t look at this wine because of the vintage. Let others make that mistake. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.
93+ points, The Wine Advocate
2010 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico
On Sale $19.99
Good ruby-red. Lovely floral aromas of plum, redcurrant, sweet spices and violet. Sweet, lush and round, with a slightly high-toned quality that adds appeal to the red fruit flavors. Finishes broad and long, with ripe tannins.
91 points, Stephen Tanzer
2010 Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri, Sicilia IGT
On Sale $13.99
91 points, The Wine Advocate
