Italian Smiles Wine Collection 

Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco 2011, Tuscany, Italy

Vinous 93:

The 2011 Perlato del Bosco is soft, open and accessible. This is a textured, resonant style of Sangiovese typical of the Tuscan coast in its breadth and volume. The warmth and resonance of the vintage comes through in spades. Dark red cherries, licorice flesh out on the dark, savory finish. This is a fabulous effort for the year.

Vajra Barolo Albe 2008, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Wine Spectator 94:

The rose, strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors are beautifully displayed on an elegant frame in this pure and delicately wrought red, which shows harmony and depth. The fine lingering finish expresses energy, with a mineral element. Best from 2015 through 2032.

La Lecciaia Manapetra Brunello di Montalcino 2005, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

Wine Advocate 91:

The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Manapetra offers greater volume and richness than the normal bottling, but that alone doesn’t make it a better or more complex wine, especially as the French oak is a bit more in evidence. Here the aromatics are decidedly cleaner and show better focus. The Manapetra reveals gorgeous generosity in its spiced, warm fruit, and a long, round finish with better overall balance than the regular bottling. In 2005 the estate used the grapes normally destined for the Riserva Manapetra to strengthen the regular Manapetra bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.

Feudo Maccari Saia 2011, Sicily, Italy

James Suckling 93, Wine Advocate 90:

Feudo Maccari’s 2011 Nero d’Avola Saia is a beautiful rendition of this native Sicilian grape that delivers smooth fruit and cherry sensations backed by dark spice, chocolate and moist chewing tobacco. The wine ages in oak for up to 16 months and you can feel that extra intensity and softness as the wine caresses the palate. Nero d’Avola’s personality comes through in terms of the bright acidity and aromas of scorched earth. Drink 2014-2020.

Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso 2010, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Wine Spectator 91:

This leafy, black cherry and spice-flavored red exhibits rich, expansive fruit and a refined structure. Tightly woven, with a long aftertaste of cherry and herbs. Merlot, Cabernet, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2014 through 2020.

Clerico Nebbiolo Capsime 2010, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Vinous 91:

Good medium red. Lovely nebbiolo perfume of dried fruits, mocha, tobacco, smoke, dried flowers and minerals. Silky and fine-grained, with lovely acidity keeping this very young wine a bit folded in on itself today. But juicy and intense, finishing with sweet tannins, excellent persistence and a light touch. This fruit went into the Arte bottling prior to vintage 2009. Clerico introduced this wine to have an early-drinking nebbiolo, while Arte and the Barolos are wines to lay down.