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!
2020 Talosa Alboreto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano DOCG
A smooth and elegant wine made from Sangiovese grapes. It offers aromas of red fruit, strawberries, and hints of leather and tobacco. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied with soft tannins and a fresh, balanced acidity. The finish is clean and lasting, making it a great choice for pairing with pasta, grilled meats, and cheeses. This wine can also be aged for further development.
2021 Mauro Veglio Castelletto Barolo
A stunning expression of Monforte d’Alba’s famed terroir, offering both depth and finesse. Aromas of red cherry, rose, and spice lead to a layered palate of fruit, earth, and mineral notes wrapped in fine, structured tannins. Elegant yet powerful, this Barolo reflects Mauro Veglio’s precision and craftsmanship—beautiful to enjoy now with decanting, and even more rewarding with age.
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 Tenuta Argentiera Villa Donoratico Bolgheri
A smooth and stylish red from coastal Tuscany. Made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it’s full of dark berry flavors like blackberry and blackcurrant, with a touch of spice and fresh herbs. The wine is well-balanced, with soft tannins and a long, clean finish. It’s a great choice for anyone who enjoys bold yet elegant reds from Italy.
2022 Luciano Arduini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
I wish we could import more of this wine. Sadly, there's just not enough to go around. We're lucky to import two pallets per year. Some Amarone can be too alcoholic or too sweet for me. This one consistently finds a balance and we love supporting small family producers like Arduini. Once you find this wine, it will be as cozy as your favorite blanket.
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.
2019 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino
Castiglion del Bosco is one of the historic estates in Montalcino, crafting Brunellos that are both polished and powerful. The 2019 vintage shows classic Sangiovese character with deep red fruit, fine tannins, and that signature earthy/spicy Montalcino note. The oak is super well balanced, giving the wine elegance without overpowering the fruit. Even though it’s still young, the 2019 already shows layers of complexity and great structure. A beautiful Brunello you can enjoy now with some air or cellar for many years.
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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