Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's most magnificent reds, collectors' wines that can age for decades. This is a fine release from Casanova di Neri. A favourite of critics, the estate was founded in 1971 by Giacomo's father, Giovanni, producing his first wine in 1978. Since then they have bought small parcels of top quality vines. Giacomo took over in 1991 and is one of the few to achieve a perfect 100 point rating from both Wine Advocate and James Suckling. This Brunello has been made traditionally, with 40 months ageing in large, old oak casks to lend notes of cedar, leather and spice to the intense red fruit character – all held together with fine tannins. Open early and decant. Superb with steak or duck breast.

A region that offers “undreamed-of character and potential,” and “reds that give you a lot of wine for your money” (Decanter).

It comes to us courtesy of the legendary Feudi di San Gregorio, one of Puglia’s finest estates, renowned for being among the first modern wineries to champion the region’s native grapes. It regularly garners 90+ point scores from the likes of The Wine Advocate and top critic James Suckling, and their wines are literally fine pieces of art.

Ognissole Primitivo hails from the prestigious Gioia del Colle DOC (“jewels of the hill”) and the 400-metre-high plateau it sits on is considered to be the homeland of the Primitivo grape. Organically grown, the fruit enjoys beautiful breezes from the Adriatic and Ionian seas which give the grapes much needed relief from the warm Italian sun, creating rich, velvety and intense wines. The result is a lusciously decadent red packed with sumptuous berry fruits, a mouth coating texture and delicious spice kick.

It's from maestro of Puglia, Angelo Maci, and his pride and joy winery that has twice been voted southern Italy's finest. A regular customer top favourite.

All biodynamically grown in prized Maremma, it's "a bright and articulate entry-level wine from this top-level estate" (Wine Advocate).

Wine Enthusiast calls Amarone “one of the 15 icons in Italian wine”. They are certainly some of the most prized reds from Italy, made by the ancient tradition of sun drying grapes before fermentation. This gives them an amazing richness, a glorious combination of power and complexity that cellars well, too. No wonder they are prized the world over. This 2018 from the renowned Cantina Negrar is named after the 18th century poet Bartolomeo Lorenzi, whose epic poem celebrating rural life made Valpolicella wines famous. The grapes are from the ancient, dry, stone terraces of the cool Marano Valley, where they ripen slowly. They are then air dried for 120 days to intensify flavours. A superb bottle to enjoy now with hearty dishes or to cellar.

Oltrepo Pavese lies in southwest Lombardy, next to Piedmont, hence its former name, Old Piedmont. Castello di Cigognola is an impressive, 13th-century castle, lying high on a hill, overlooking the Scuropasso Valley, across to Emilia Romagna. No wonder, then, it was once a stronghold for feudal lords. Over the centuries, it has been a gathering place for politicians and philosophers and today it remains a tranquil spot. It is home to many artistic pursuits, including great wine. Gabriele Moratti is in charge today. Sustainably tended, the vineyards are in the process of organic conversion. Using all Barbera from their 30-year-old La Maga vineyard, the wine had a year's ageing in small barrels. A very fine red. Open early and decant, or age.

Renieri is owned by its grand neighbour, Marco Bacci's historic, much lauded Castello di Bossi. The same care goes into the wines of both estates. Renieri boasts 128 hectares of land, within which lie 30 hectares of vines, in the southern stretch of Montalcino. The prized vineyards for the Brunello all lie at 350 to 420 metres altitude, some of the highest in the appellation and were replanted in 1998 to meet the high specifications of the team. Meticulous work in the vineyards and ageing in a mix of small barriques and traditional larger botti barrels result in a wine of amazing power and bold, dense fruit, with the freshness and structure to enable it to age a couple of decades at least. Delicious now; will cellar magnificently.

This plush and powerful example comes from Dino Taschetta, who uses old vine fruit from his grandfather's vineyard, high up in Poggioreale. It was abandoned after an earthquake, but when Dino discovered the quality of the ancient vines, he returned to create this silky and sensuous black red.