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Wines of the Week:
Best Buys from Italy - Under $20, 90 Points

Even if you can't actually visit Italy, you can still enjoy some of the country's gifts to us with a wonderful spread of Italian fare and, most importantly, good wine for a nice price. Here are a handful of bottles our tasting panel discovered available for under $20:

Click on labels to enlarge

Banfi 2016 Centine Toscana
Winery: Banfi
Grape(s):
Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese
Region: Tuscan, Italy
Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
5-10

Review:
Bing cherry and subtle cranberry aromas mingle among expressions of leather, spice, and floral earth on the nose. Lots of cherries emerge on the palate, accented by suggestions of spice and rose petal. A lively acidity and light body make this wine a good choice for a pasta dish with fresh tomatoes.
Rating: 90

San Felice 2016 Chianti Classico
Winery: San Felice
Grape(s):
80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, & 10% Pugnitello
Region: Italy

Year:
2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Inviting aromas of bing cherries, red plums, leather and spice greets the senses. Lively flavors of cherry, cranberry, and plum interweave among expressions of earth and white pepper on the palate. Fairly light, but lifted by a nice acidity, it's a great buy if you can find it for $15 or less.
Rating: 90

Avignonesi Cantaloro 2015 Tuscana Red
Winery: Avignonesi Cantaloro
Grape(s):
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese
Region:
Tuscany, Italy

Year: 2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Notes of cherries and blackberries mingle among expressions of pepper, all-spice, and graham cracker on the nose. Lots of dark cherry, plum, and bramble berry come together with elements of clove, white pepper, and herbs on the palate. Supple with a medium-body, it walks the line between new and old world quite nicely.
Rating: 90

Monrosso 2016 Tuscan Red Blend
Winery: Monrosso
Grape(s):
60% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot & 3% Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany, Italy

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
An inviting nose rises from a glass, with aromas of bing cherries, plums, leather, and spice. Fairly light, flavors of cherry and dark plum come up front, followed up by suggestions of floral earth, leather, and spice. Ripe fruit is lifted by a nice acidity and there are enough savory notes to remind one it's defiantly Italian. Nice wine for under $20.
Rating: 90

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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