Description
A collection of six killer red wines out of Italy for those in need of something tall, dark and handsome.
- 2021 Mansalto La Commenda Chianti
- 2022 Poggio Anima Toscana Sangiovese Belial
- 2023 Tenute Orestiadi Molino a Vento Nerello Mascalese
- 2021 Maretti Langhe Nebbiolo
- 2020 Praeter Vino Rosso
- 2021 Matane Primitivo
2021 Mansalto La Commenda Chianti
Mansalto's winery might be new, but the 14th century estate it's located on is anything but! This wine is all about marrying the traditional tastes and textures of Chianti with up-to-date winemaking, with delicious results.
After hand-picking the wine undergoes fermentation and nine months ageing in concrete. A light touch in the winery means that there's no use of oak and minimal additions used along the way. It's a dusty, spicy, and red-fruited wine perfect for rustic Italian fare!
Ripper Sangiovese from a producer making it in the classic Chianti style.
2022 Poggio Anima Toscana Sangiovese Belial
Poggio Anima is a label that celebrates single varieties from single sites across Italy, focusing on a variety's home.
Here is a fantastic value Sangiovese from Campinoti, taken from a single vineyard near Siena. The name "Belial" is in reference to a Hebrew devil that is said to personify lawlessness, a tip of the cap to the renegade producers of the region who defied tradition in their invention of the famous "Super Tuscan" blends.
It's crafted in a fresher, modern style with minimal oak influence and a focus on freshness of flavour. For authentic, savoury yet smashable Sangiovese at this price, it's hard to beat.
2023 Tenute Orestiadi Molino a Vento Nerello Mascalese
Here’s a taste of Sicily that punches well above its price tag. The fruit for the Molino a Vento Nerello Mascalese comes from Tenute Orestiadi’s vineyards in sandy, mineral-rich soils just southwest of Palermo.
Nerello Mascalese sits somewhere between Grenache and Nebbiolo in style, and this release is medium-bodied, bright and vibrant. It’s full of juicy wild berries, sour cherry, and subtle hints of cinnamon and five-spice, balanced by a fresh acidity and fine, silky tannins.
Nerello Mascalese from Mt. Etna often goes for $50 and up, but here you’re getting that same quality at a fraction of the price - under $30. If you’re after something a little off the beaten track but full of character, this one’s a fantastic pick.
2021 Maretti Langhe Nebbiolo
For lovers of affordable Italian table wines, the Maretti wines, crafted by the winemaker Danilo Drocco, have been delivering above and beyond for many years.
The Langhe Nebbiolo adds another delicious string to their bow. The fruit is macerated for only a short time before being pressed off to barrel. The intent here is to deliver a Piemontese Nebbiolo that is ready to drink now. Drocco has been very successful.
The tannins are super fine and moreish, the fruit is bright, energetic and has the signature rusty colour that you might associate with very traditional examples of Nebbiolo from this region.
This is one of the best value Italian Nebbiolos you will find.
90 points
"Fresh and vibrant, a Nebbiolo delivered in a lighter framework here, though it still speaks well of the grape variety. Red cherry, new leather, a little mint, spice and orange peel. Tannin is present, but supple, delivering a little rusty grip to the wine, and it finishes well too. It’s not deep or concentrated, but does deliver a lively glass of Piedmont at an affordable price."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
2020 Praeter Vino Rosso
Matt Large’s (formerly of Shaw + Smith) 2020 Praeter Vino Rosso isn’t your typical Italian "Vino Rosso"—it’s a powerful blend of tradition, creativity, and a deep respect for the Langhe region. Crafted from Figli Luigi Oddero’s vineyards in La Morra, this field blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Nebbiolo showcases Matt’s talent for blending international flair with true Piemontese character.
The Syrah brings an earthy spice, the Petit Verdot adds depth with its dense fruit and violet aromatics, and Nebbiolo provides acidity and an elegant lift to the back palate. It’s all co-fermented in two parts: earlier-picked Syrah and Nebbiolo, with 20% whole bunch for brightness, and a richer co-ferment of Petit Verdot and later-picked Nebbiolo. The separate parcels spent 14 months ageing in seasoned barriques before blending—a process that reveals a perfect marriage of each varietal’s strengths.
It smells of red cherries, red currants, leather, and earthy spices. The palate has muscular tannins balanced by juicy red currant and ripe cherry, with a savoury edge of fresh herbs and subtle leather. Succulent but structured, this is a wine that embraces both complexity and drinkability.
Made with an artisan’s touch, the 2020 Praeter Vino Rosso is Matt Large’s homage to both his Italian mentors and his own adventurous spirit. It’s a wine that embodies both tradition and exploration—made for those who love a good story in their glass.
2021 Matane Primitivo
Matané’s approach to winemaking captures the untapped potential of Puglia’s Salento Peninsula, a region where rich red soils, abundant sunshine, and limestone-heavy terrain give rise to distinctive, high-quality wines. Founded in 2008 by the Empson family, Matané represents a fresh wave of southern Italian winemaking, steering away from the overly heavy, stewed wines of the past towards a more balanced and expressive style.
This particular wine highlights the vibrancy of Puglia’s native varieties, thanks to careful fermentation and maceration in steel. The nose bursts with ripe raspberries and blackberries, layered with earthy undertones, dried herbs, and a floral lift. On the palate, it’s all about richness and concentration—candied figs, dark cherries, and a subtle spice glide seamlessly, framed by gentle tannins and a lively acidity that keeps everything in balance.
With a philosophy of moderate alcohol and restrained extractions, the Empson family honours Puglia’s traditions while crafting wines with freshness and modern appeal.
Customer Reviews
| Price Bracket | $30 or Less |
| Type | Red |
| Country | Italy |
| Size | 7 |
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