Top Ten Italian Red Wines - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

NV Alessandro Viola Sicilia Blanc de Blancs Pas Dosé, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$42.00USD

it looks like a release date of 09/23.  This is a sparkling natural wine from Sicily made from 100% Catarratto grapes.  Pas Dosé means No Dossage.  Golden in color.  A nice mousse of smaller bubbles that quickly disappears in a wide rim glass.  The nose is apple cider with a bit of salinity.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the apple cider notes continue along with a nice minerality.  Some cinnamon on the finish.  It is a different wine that seems food friendly.  Probably best to drink sooner than later.  

2007 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni, Italy, Umbria, Wine Revivew

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

One of the top wines coming out of Italy.  This is made from 100% Sagrantino grapes in Montefalco, Italy.  Just now really entering its drinking window.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with plums, black raspberries, clove, and slight leather.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, char, spice and just a hint of forest floor.  Long finish.  This is delightful on its own, but better with food.  It went great with Eggplant Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen year

2005 La Collina dei Lecci Brunello di Montalcino La Tanuta, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a solid Brunello that is at peak.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, cherries with some forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  There is some complexity.  Better with food at this point.  A nice match with a plate of mushroom pasta.  Drink up over the next few years.  

2015 Masciarelli Marina Cvetić Iskra, Italy, Abruzzo, Colline Teramane DOCG, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is made from a single vineyard of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.  Gianni Masciarelli and Marina Cvetic are a husband and wife team in southern Italy (she is from Serbia).  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries, smoke and thyme.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cherries with thyme and anise.  A bit of char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  Lasagna or a Beef Ragu would work well.  Drink over the next five to eight ye

2008 Azienda Agricola Montevetrano Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT, Italy, Campania, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$84.00USD

Great showing.  This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico from Campagna in Italy.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and a bit flat.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, herbal notes, forest floor and spice.  Complex.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex.  Lots of fresh cherries and black cherries with some tobacco, leather and spice.  Long finish.  This is close to or at peak.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with many foods.  Roasted poultry should work well.  Drink over the ne

2004 Cafaggio Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  At age twenty it is fully mature and seemingly at peak.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries,  dried cherries, spice, forest floor and char.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has some complexity.  Fresh and dried cherries, tobacco, forest floor and char.  Good finish.  This is better with food.  It would work well with a nice plate of pasta.  Drink up.

2016 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Gramolere, Italy, Piedmont, Wine review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight asphalt, slight rose and iron.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this is tight but opens in the glass.  Cherries with some asphalt and minerals.  Deep.  This is just entering its drinking window and should be there for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own but better with food.  A plate of truffle pasta would be perfect.  

Pages