La Parrina is a tiny DOC, situated in the Orbetello peninsula on Italy’s Tuscan coast. It's part of the renowned Maremma zone and only one estate exists there – Antica Fattoria La Parrina. The wines are made by Valeria Vittori, a Montalcino winemaker renowned for her critically acclaimed HK$450 Brunello – so you know you are in good hands here.

Muraccio is Valeria’s special blend of Tuscany’s hero grape, Sangiovese, plus Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, all from vineyards close to the winery. Aged for 10 months in oak barriques before bottling, it has juicy red and black cherry flavours mingled with plummy fruit and notes of Mediterranean herbs. It’s a fullbodied wine with layers of deep flavour – yet wonderfully easy to drink. We love it. And we think you’ll love it too. We’re not the only ones who are impressed. The renowned international critic, Antonio Galloni, awarded Muraccio 92 points and called it “a real charmer”. James Suckling was equally impressed, awarding it 92 points as well.

For lovers of Tuscany's ethereal Brunello di Montalcino wines, Rosso di Montalcino is a superb and more affordable alternative. It's wines don't quite last the decades of Brunello, but then sometimes you can't wait that long. This glorious pure Sangiovese is from Giacomo Neri, a winemaker renowned for his remarkable Brunellos, two of which have scored a perfect 100 points. His father founded the estate in 1971, realising the huge potential of the area's soil and climate. He passed the property to his son in 1991, who has taken excellence another step even higher, extending the vineyards, now 63 hectares, and buying up some remarkable single vineyards too. Decant this red an hour before serving with rich red meat dishes.

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.

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.

Luca Maroni 99pts！