Bella Italia and La Dolce Vita! Welcome to the Greg Martellotto's pick for the Top 12 Italian red wines to buy today. Greg is one of only 400 Italian Wine Ambassadors in the world and certified by Vinitaly Academy. He has been traveling to Italy for more than three decades and knows where the best juice is coming from. In addition to his family heritage in Puglia, he has lived in Florence and typically spends 3-6 weeks per year in Oenotria. These wines all raised his eyebrows and they will certainly make an impression on you. Consider these wines among the best from each of their respective regions and certainly at the top of the quality and value chain.
Alla Salute!
2018 Pasetti Harimann Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP
A rich and full-bodied Montepulciano with deep flavors of black cherries, plum, and dark berries. You’ll also find notes of spice, cocoa, and a touch of vanilla from the oak. The tannins are smooth but powerful, giving the wine great structure. It finishes long and warm, making it perfect for roasted meats, pasta with red sauces, and aged cheeses. This wine can age beautifully for several more years.
2020 Scrimaglio Barolo DOCG
A classic and expressive Barolo that highlights the purity and structure of Nebbiolo. Aromas of red cherry, dried rose, and subtle spice lead into a refined palate layered with fruit, earth, and gentle savory notes. The tannins are firm yet well-integrated, giving the wine its signature Barolo backbone. Elegant and balanced, this vintage shows both approachability and aging potential—beautiful to enjoy now with some air, and even more rewarding with time in the cellar.
2020 Colle Nero Tra Di Noi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG
This wine is an exclusive partnership with Terre Nere. With vineyards located next to Poggio di Sotto ($300/btl),this wine looks like one of the best values in Montalcino. Again, don't just take my word for it. James Suckling 95pts.
2021 Rivetto Lirano Nebbiolo d'Alba Piedmont
A beautifully balanced wine from the Piedmont region. It offers bright flavors of cherry and raspberry, with subtle floral hints of rose and violet. The tannins are firm but smooth, providing structure without overpowering the fruit. The finish is clean and elegant, with a touch of complexity. This wine pairs well with rich pasta, roasted meats, and aged cheeses, making it a perfect choice for a classic Italian meal.
2021 Fabio Oberto La Collina di Dioniso Barolo DOCG Piedmont
Is a classic, full-bodied Barolo with rich flavors of cherry, rose, and spice, along with hints of earth and tobacco. It has firm tannins and a long, elegant finish, making it a great wine for aging or pairing with steak, lamb, and hearty Italian dishes.
2020 Boroli Barolo Del Comune Di Castiglione Falletto
A classic, terroir-driven Barolo from one of the most prized communes in Piedmont. Structured and age-worthy, it shows aromas of dried rose, tar, cherry, and subtle spice. On the palate, firm yet refined tannins frame layers of red fruit, earthy minerality, and savory complexity. Elegant but powerful, with a long, persistent finish — built to evolve beautifully over time.
2021 Scrimaglio Barbaresco
The 2021 Scrimaglio Barbaresco is patiently aged in bottles, exceeding regulatory standards. This careful process ensures they reach the market in their fullest expression, a testament to Scrimaglio's meticulous attention to the essential ingredient of wine: Time.
2022 La Ca Nova Montestefano Barbaresco DOCG
For Barbaresco lovers seeking true expression of the Piedmont region, the 2022 La Ca Nova Montestefano is an absolute standout. From one of the top single-vineyard sites in Barbaresco, this wine showcases depth, complexity, and a stunning balance of power and elegance. The Montestefano vineyard’s soils impart a unique mineral freshness to the wine, while the Nebbiolo grape’s tightly wound tannins and layers of dark cherry, rose petal, and a hint of licorice evolve beautifully over time. The oak integration is subtle, allowing the terroir to shine through. With a finish that lingers long after the last sip, this is a Barbaresco that delivers both immediate pleasure and great aging potential. If you’re looking for a bottle to elevate your collection, this is one to grab while it’s still on the shelves.
2020 Mate Brunello Di Montalcino
A powerful and age-worthy Tuscan red crafted from 100% Sangiovese, this wine offers layered aromas of ripe cherry, wild berries, dried roses, and subtle hints of tobacco and spice. The palate is structured and elegant, with firm yet refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and notes of dark fruit, leather, and earthy minerality. A long, savory finish makes it an excellent companion to grilled meats, braised dishes, and aged cheeses, with the balance to evolve beautifully over time.
2020 Mazzarosa Vere Novo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
Born from a bold vision during the global pandemic, Vere Novo is the highest-rated Montepulciano d’Abruzzo of 2020 and a testament to innovation. Crafted by renowned winemaker Riccardo Brighigna, twice named "Winemaker of the Year" in Abruzzo, this wine revives the ancient Whole Bunch technique—fermenting entire grape clusters to amplify aroma, structure, and finesse. The result? A Montepulciano unlike any other: softer, fruitier, yet deeply expressive of its Abruzzo roots. Awarded 97 points and a Platinum Medal by Decanter, placing it among the Top 150 wines in the world, and 93 points from James Suckling, Vere Novo is a revelation in elegance.
2022 Giovanni Rosso Etna Rosso Sicilia
From the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, this Etna Rosso offers bright red cherry, pomegranate, and floral notes with a touch of smoky minerality. Made from Nerello Mascalese, it’s elegant and vibrant on the palate, with fine tannins and a long, savory finish. A beautifully refined Sicilian red that shows both freshness and terroir-driven character.
2020 Sella & Mosca Marchese di Villamarina Alghero Cabernet Sauvignon Sardinia
This wine displays a compelling intensity with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, plum, and subtle hints of Mediterranean herbs, cedar, and spice. On the palate, it’s full‑bodied and structured, with rich dark fruit flavors supported by firm yet refined tannins and lively acidity. The finish is long and expressive, revealing layers of tobacco, graphite, and a touch of earthy minerality. A fine example of Sardinian Cabernet Sauvignon, the Marchese di Villamarina is elegant, powerful, and beautifully balanced, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a distinctive Italian Cabernet with both depth and character.
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We bundled 12 of these wines into a single case. Buy them in a 12-bottle case here.
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