88 Cantine di Orgosolo Cannonau di Sardegna
Urùlu 2016 $34 A high-toned red, bright and medium-
bodied, with candied cherry and raspberry fruit notes, ac-
cented by dried lavender and woodsy spice details. Chewy.
Drink now. 7,800 cases made, 350 cases imported.—A.N.
88 Agricola Punica Isola dei Nuraghi Montessu
2017 $35 A brambly, medium-bodied red, with lots of
spice box, dusty sage and thyme notes accenting the
crushed boysenberry and black currant fruit flavors. Fresh
and accessible. Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now. 2,500 cases made,
1,200 cases imported.—A.N.
ITALY
Sardinia / White
90 Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna Is Argiolas
2018 $25 Ground white pepper and grapefruit peel
notes lead to flavors of nectarine, yellow plum and lemon
thyme in this lip-smacking, light- to medium-bodied
white, while racy acidity and stony minerality drive the
finish. Drink now through 2023. 10,000 cases made.—A.N.
89 Mura Vermentino di Gallura Superiore
Sienda 2017 $30 A round, creamy, medium-bodied
white, lightly spiced and balanced, offering a mix of lemon
granita, poached apricot, crushed almond and thyme fla-
vors. Drink now through 2022. 1,500 cases made.—A.N.
89 Tenute Sella & Mosca Vermentino di Sardegna
La Cala 2018 $13 Fragrant, with jasmine and spice
notes, this light- to medium-bodied white is fresh and cit-
rusy on the palate, featuring a snappy mix of pink grape-
fruit granita, Asian pear, lime blossom and saline flavors.
Drink now. 6,500 cases made, 750 cases imported.—A.N.
88 Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna Costamolino
2018 $19 Delicate herb and pink grapefruit zest notes
enliven the creamy flavors of nectarine, almond blossom
and saline in this lively, medium-bodied white. Tangy fin-
ish. Drink now through 2021. 54,166 cases made, 10,300
cases imported.—A.N.
88 Olianas Vermentino di Sardegna 2017 $15
Aromatic hints of Meyer lemon peel, crushed pine and
petrol lace the tangy flavors of apricot and white cherry
in this expressive, light- to medium-bodied white. Lithe,
vibrant acidity drives the minerally finish. Drink now
through 2021. 4,250 cases made, 907 cases imported.—A.N.
88 Agricola Punica Isola dei Nuraghi White
Samas 2018 $20 A tangy, light-bodied white, with
crisp acidity and a lively mix of tangerine, lime zest and
verbena flavors, showing minerally hints of chalk and sa-
line. Vermentino and Chardonnay. Drink now. 8,333 cases
made, 600 cases imported.—A.N.
87 Cantina di Santa Maria La Palma Vermentino
di Sardegna Aragosta 2018 $14 A fresh, light- to
medium-bodied white, with minerally stone and saline
notes underscoring the flavors of crunchy white peach,
slivered almond and lemon peel. Zesty. Drink now.
160,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported.—A.N.
ITALY
Trentino/Alto Adige
92 Ferrari Extra Brut Trento Giulio Ferrari
Riserva del Fondatore 2007 $135 An elegant spar-
kler, with a delicate, lacy mousse and vibrant acidity, fea-
turing a finely meshed flavor range of poached white
cherry, Meyer lemon preserves, grilled nut, toast point
and ground spice. Long and racy on the saline-infused
finish. Drink now through 2027. 3,000 cases made, 150
cases imported.—A.N.
91 Ferrari Brut Trento Perlé 2012 $42 A bal-
anced sparkler, with a light, toasty overtone and a firm
and well-knit backbone of acidity framing the poached
quince, grilled nut, cherry and lemon preserve flavors. A
tang of salinity shows on the finish. Drink now through- 30,000 cases made, 230 cases imported.—A.N.
91 Tenuta San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti
Red San Leonardo 2014 $96 An elegant, medium-
to full-bodied red, in a traditional style, featuring a rich
array of red currant and raspberry fruit, accented by wild
sage and woodsy spice details, firmed by sculpted, fine-
grained tannins. Offers a fresh, mineral-laced finish. Cab-
ernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. Drink now
through 2024. 5,416 cases made.—A.N.
91 Cantina Tramin Alto Adige Stoan 2017 $35
Hints of fresh basil and tarragon waft from the glass of this
svelte, medium-bodied white, with rich flavors of green
melon, pineapple and stony mineral enlivened by mouth-
watering acidity and accents of pink grapefruit zest and
grated ginger. Offers a lingering, creamy finish. Chardonnay,
Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco and Gewürztraminer. Drink now
through 2025. 4,100 cases made, 100 cases imported.—A.N.
90 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Alto Adige
Haberle 2017 $27 Lip-smacking acidity and a pro-
nounced vein of saline- and stone-laced minerality creates
a vibrant, tangy frame for this lithe, light-bodied white, of-
fering a tightly meshed range of kiwifruit, grapefruit, gran-
ite, fresh basil and verbena notes. Drink now through 2023.
15,333 cases made, 450 cases imported.—A.N.
90 Cantina Tramin Pinot Grigio Alto Adige
Unterebner 2017 $35 A well-knit, light-bodied white,
with lively acidity and a stony mineral underpinning driv-
ing flavors of green pear and almond blossom, while spicy
notes of ginger and white pepper linger on the finish.
Drink now through 2023. 2,000 cases made, 250 cases
imported.—A.N.
89 Ferrari Brut Trento NV $28 This is a racy,
well-knit sparkler, with citrusy acidity and a lively
mousse carrying flavors of melon, star fruit, grilled nut
and lime blossom. Drink now. 160,000 cases made, 3,945
cases imported.—A.N.
89 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Porer
2017 $27 A zesty, light- to medium-bodied white, with
a creamy texture that complements the well-cut, snappy
acidity and carries flavors of macerated white cherry,
lemon thyme, chalk and citrus peel. Distinctive. Drink
now through 2022. 57,333 cases made, 2,000 cases
imported.—A.N.
87 Lagaria Chardonnay Vigneti delle Dolomiti
2017 $13 Fresh and light-bodied, with zesty acidity
and an aromatic mix of apple blossom, grated ginger, stone
and Asian pear flavors. Drink now. 3,300 cases made,
2,000 cases imported.—A.N.
ITALY
Tuscany / Toscana Red97 Le Macchiole Toscana Messorio 2015 $235
See Highly Recommended, page 81.97 Masseto Toscana 2016 $795 See Collectibles,
page 81.
95 Castellare di Castellina Toscana Coniale 2015
$55 This powerful red offers fine balance and richness,
showcasing black cherry, black currant, leather, tobacco
and graphite flavors. Vibrant and set for a long life ahead,
revealing terrific energy on the lingering aftertaste. Cab-
ernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2045. 300 cases
made, 100 cases imported.—B.S.
95 San Giusto a Rentennano Merlot Toscana La
Ricolma 2015 $186 Powerful and saturated, with black
cherry, plum, cedar, iron and wild herb aromas and flavors,
this is also tightly wound. The dense matrix of tannins
flexes on the muscular finish, as the fruit, mineral and
underbrush elements persist. Best from 2021 through 2040.
575 cases made, 110 cases imported.—B.S.New Releases: ItalySEPT. 30, 2019 • WINE SPECTATOR 91