Black walnut husk, game and truffle chocolate to the plums and dark cherries. Medium- to full-bodied palate with firm and fine-grained tannins that glide through to a juicy, bright finish. Lovely austerity here will help it hold. From organically grown grapes. Drink or keep.

Really pretty fruit here with currants and spices with some fresh flowers. Medium to full body. Fine tannins. Focused and real. From organically grown grapes. Give this three or four years to soften. Drink after 2026.

Features a fine balance between the cherry, currant, earth, wild thyme and eucalyptus flavors, with a firm backbone of tannins and juicy acidity. Well-delineated and long, this red is complex and refined. Drink now through 2032. 500 cases made, 25 cases imported.

Made with fruit from old vines, the Tenuta Tascante 2017 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova V.V. is powerful and delicate at the same time, and it strikes a careful balance between these two opposing forces. This is one of the biggest compliments you can give to a wine from Etna, one of the most dramatic and violent winemaking panoramas on Earth. This lovely Nerello Mascalese shows aromas of cherry and wild rose with toasted nut, scorched earth and lavender essence. The concentration and staying power from those old vines add considerably to the depth, tannic power and complexity of this age-worthy bottle.

The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Scarrone Vigna Vecchia captures all the magic of the old vines in this Castiglione Falletto cru. Black cherry, plum, licorice, incense, melted road tar and spice all meld together in a Barbera of uncommon complexity, power and elegance. Here, too, the purity of the flavors is nothing short of compelling.

100% Pinot Noir, zero dosage; matured on the lees for 60 months; sboccatura tardiva means late disgorged. Bright, medium deep yellow; fine bubbles. Aromas of toast, brioche, dried lemon and yellow plum. Medium-full with a rich mid-palate, very good acidity, notable persistence and excellent harmony. Here is an Alta Langa of excellent complexity and structure. This is quite appealing now, especially paired with shellfish or veal, and will drink well for 6-8 years.

The 2018 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Binomio is hauntingly dark and floral, seducing with its rich mix of grilled herbs, plum sauce and dark chocolate. It floods the palate with medium-weight textures and polished red and black fruits, yet beneath is a core of salty minerals and lively acidity that adds both depth and energy to the experience. Lightly structured and wonderfully refined, this tapers off with length, leaving inner violet florals and a bitter twang of currant to linger through the otherwise-juicy finale. Binomio, a collaboration between Inama (Veneto) and La Valentina (Abruzzo), nailed the 2018 vintage. It could use some time to soften a bit through the finish and for its aromatics to evolve; but otherwise, this is already irresistible today.

Top 50 Wines of 2022 #17

Vietti has been in the village of Castiglione Falletto since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Over time, they have gradually selected the best vineyards to grow Nebbiolo and showcase them in individually, showing the diversity of this grape and their terroir. This is a great entry into the world of Vietti with their Barolo. It has everything you want from this variety. Rose petal and cherries waft up from the glass with a luscious palate of seamlessly interwoven tannins adding complexity and layers to the wine. It's balanced and delicious,    it delights the palate with every sip, begging for food. This is a steal....Priced at just over $50,