Most Expensive Italian Wines

“From one of the most celebrated vineyards in the entire Barolo denomination, this gorgeous wine boasts captivating aromas of new leather, underbrush, ripe berry, tobacco, a whiff of tilled soil and a balsamic note. Seamlessly combining elegance and structure, the long, compelling palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, ripe rasberry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of noble tannins.

100% Chardonnay. An elegant and balanced palate is offered, with a velvety, rich body; flavors of vanilla, acacia blossoms, honey and dry hay are combined with flowery scents; all ensuring that the wine has a noble and lingering finish. Mastering the art of Italian living is not difficult. Simply pop open a bottle of Ferrari, Italy’s most iconic sparkling wine, and you will find luxury, glamour, and undeniable quality in every sip. Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino native, started his venerable sparkling wine house in 1902, after studying winemaking in France. Convinced that his native region’s terroir was ideal for growing Chardonnay, he produced three of his now best-known cuvées – Ferrari Brut, Perlé and Giulio Ferrari – as blanc de blancs. This innovative approach quickly paid off. Ferrari wines consistently receive some of Italy’s top accolades, including being awarded Tre Bicchieri 22 years in a row, and being recognized as Wine Producer of the Year 2018 by the esteemed Gambero Rosso organization. 92pts Wine Spectator 10/17 2005V 92pts Wine & Spirits 10/18 2006V

Deep purple in color, with complex aromas of toast, minerals, sour cherries, cedar and spices. This wine dispalys the roundest tasting profile of all Gaja single-vineyard wines. The rich body, subtle texture and fine, ripe tannins are typical for this wine of great finesse, the quintessential expression of the land and the Nebbiolo grape. This wine has extraordinary aging potential--more than forty years in outstanding vintages.

While winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco has been a craft for centuries, until fairly recently the vineyards were cultivated solely for personal consumption by each family living on the Estate. Today, Castiglion del Bosco wines are consistently recognized for their excellence. As one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the organization that regulates and controls the quality of Brunello production, Castiglion del Bosco introduced the world to its exemplary vintages through the emergence of a commercial operation in the late 1950s. In 2004, acclaimed international Wine Master Nicolo D’Afflitto took command of winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco, along with locally trained enologist Cecilia Leoneschi. Under their careful direction, the Estate is yielding more modern Brunellos that are attracting critical acclaim. The fundamental goal of winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco is to remain faithful to the land and the characteristics of the grapes.

The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature. “Ornellaia 2017 masterfully interprets what was a particularly warm and sunny year. The intense and dark colour heralds a wine of beautiful concentration; the nose, rich and complex, releases scents of ripe red fruits, accompanied by notes of sweet tobacco and vanilla. The taste reveals an Ornellaia of great balance, a combination of firmness and pleasant freshness.”

After a few minutes in the glass, this stunning wine opens up to reveal classic Nebbiolo aromas of leather, tilled soil, underbrush, fragrant blue flower and ripe berry. The juicy concentrated palate dishes out layers of succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and pipe tobacco framed in firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2022–2035.

A dark and deep colour with wild berries, warm leather, and jasmine notes on the nose. There are also subtle notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. The palate is deep and powerful with blackberry nuances and a long intense finish.

A tremendously deep and intense color which is quite unheard of for a Sangiovese. A full bouquet of red fruits, plums, cherries and ripe blackberries is well balanced with hints of vanilla from the tannins. The wine opens on the palate with pleasant notes of licorice, tobacco and black olives. The tannins are thick and silky, extremely rich but not overpowering. The wine is full bodied and well structured, with excellent fruit concentration and length. A great wine that should only improve with age.

The vinification procedure for Barolo Riserva Rüncot includes alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with daily pumping over. After completing first alcoholic, then malolactic fermentation, the wine mature in barriques of French oak. Bottling normally in August, the Barolo Riserva Rüncot then stays in the binning cellar for 18-24 months before release.

The Gaja Costa Russi 2010 displays dark ruby, almost purple color accompanied by a captivating and refined nose with well-integrated aromas of blackberries, violets and roasted coffee beans. Elegance and crystal purity characterize this extremely complex and densely woven wine with an aging potential of decades