Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and delicious. Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome.

But with most shut in 2020, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red. And again, the following year. On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes.

From these they make a small range of award-winning wines. No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei comes into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A silky, smooth, easy red.

We've worked closely with the Masi family in Tuscany's superb Rufina district for 30 years now, first with Renzo and now with his son, Paolo. They are like family. In fact, you may well have met Paolo and his wife Anna Rita at our wine shows. They come every year. Paolo took over the family estate in 1990 having passed his wine studies top of the class. And that talent shows in every one of his wines. Their beautiful property lies high on a hill overlooking the Argomenna valley – it's a prime spot for Sangiovese, placed on a par with Chianti Classico since the 18th century. One of his wines even won '3rd Best Wine of Italy' in 2020. Enjoy the cherry fruit and silky texture of his great-value Chianti - ideal with chicken or pasta.

Love a luxury Italian wine? Then put your name on the list to reserve for this sublime Tuscan wine – the "best wine ever from here" according to James Suckling, who rates it a stellar 96pts.

Tenuta Prima Pietra was founded in 2002 by Massimo Ferragamo, who searched out the highest land possible (450 metres above sea level) in coastal Tuscany, near the beautiful medieval village of Riparbella, just north of Bolgheri. He wanted his wine to benefit from the purity and freshness gained from the cooler, elevated site, where the sunshine is hot and intense during the day, and temperatures drop sharply at night.

The 100% certified organic vineyards overlooking the sea are comprised of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, ratios which mirror the portions used in the final ‘Super Tuscan' blend. Hand-picked, each batch was vinified separately, then blended and matured in luxury French oak for 18 months. The end result? This exquisitely rich and lavish wine, boasting 93pts from The Wine Advocate, 95pts from Falstaff Magazine and an impressive 96pts from James Suckling.

"Fabulous red with bright aromas of dark berries, mint, spices and blueberries. Best wine ever from here… 96pts" (James Suckling)

Prima Pietra embodies complexity and elegance, the highest expression of the potential of the terroir. "Elegance, attention to detail and quality, refined simplicity and a love of the land are the hallmarks of Prima Pietra, and pair with my sense of style too," says Massimo Ferragamo. This luxury collector's red, which appears on some of the finest wine lists, is one you must have for your cellar.

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.