The 10 best red wines you absolutely must try

The world of Italian red wine is vast and fascinating, with a variety of flavors and aromas that can satisfy any palate. In this article, we will explore ten Italian red wines that you should definitely try. Each wine has a unique story and represents the excellence of Italian winemaking. Prepare yourself for a journey through the most renowned vineyards in Italy.

Key Points

• Tenuta S. Guido’s 2018 Sassicaia is an iconic, internationally recognized wine.
• Antinori’s 2018 Solaia is known for its complexity and depth of flavor.
• Ornellaia – Frescobaldi’s Masseto 2018 is a luxury wine, appreciated for its elegance.
• San Leonardo 2016 by San Leonardo is a refined blend that combines tradition and innovation.
• Arnaldo Caprai's Montefalco Sagrantino is famous for its robust structure and firm tannins.

1. Sassicaia 2018 by Tenuta S. Guido

Tenuta S. Guido’s Sassicaia 2018 is a wine that cannot be missing from the cellar of a true enthusiast. This wine, produced in the renowned region of Tuscany, is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Organoleptic Characteristics

Sassicaia 2018 stands out for its fresh notes of pomegranate and blood orange , enriched by balsamic and roasted tones. On the palate, it offers a perfect balance between phenolic concentration, acidity and alcohol, with a rhythm and freshness that make it unique.

Winemaking Process

Alcoholic fermentation occurs thanks to indigenous yeasts in steel at a controlled temperature, with maceration lasting from 9 to 12 days. The refinement, instead, takes place for 24 months in French oak barriques.

Recommended Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is ideal for important dinners and special occasions.

A wine that represents the excellence of Italian wine production, perfect for those seeking an unforgettable tasting experience.

2. Antinori's Solaia 2018

Antinori's Solaia 2018 is a highly prestigious Tuscan red wine, recognized internationally. This wine is produced with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc grapes, grown in the vineyards of the Tenuta Tignanello, located in the heart of Chianti Classico.

Organoleptic Characteristics

• Color : Intense ruby ​​red.
• Nose : Complex notes of berries, sweet spices and a touch of vanilla.
• Taste : Structured and harmonious, with soft tannins and a persistent finish.

Awards

The 2018 Solaia has received excellent scores from world-renowned critics:

Critic	Score	Vintage
Robert Parker	97/100	2018
James Suckling	98/100	2018
Wine Spectator	96/100	2018

Food Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is ideal to accompany important dinners and special occasions.

A wine that represents the excellence of Italian viticulture, capable of exciting with every sip.

Solaia 2018 is undoubtedly one of the top performers in the global wine scene, a wine that every enthusiast should try at least once in their life.

3. Masseto 2018 by Ornellaia – Frescobaldi

Ornellaia – Frescobaldi’s Masseto 2018 is a top-quality Tuscan red wine, internationally recognized for its quality and complexity. This wine is considered one of the best Italian wines and represents excellence in the world wine scene.

Produced with pure Merlot grapes, the 2018 Masseto stands out for its intense ruby ​​color and its complex aromatic bouquet. On the nose, notes of ripe berries, chocolate and sweet spices emerge, which blend harmoniously with hints of tobacco and leather.

On the palate, the Masseto 2018 offers a full and enveloping sip, with silky and well-integrated tannins. Its structure is robust, but at the same time elegant, with a long persistence that leaves an indelible memory.

Here are some key features of the 2018 Masseto:

• Production area : Tuscany, Italy
• Grape variety : Merlot 100%
• Aging : 24 months in French oak barrels
• Alcohol content : 14.5%

A wine that represents the excellence of Tuscan viticulture, capable of combining power and refinement in a perfect balance.

Ornellaia – Frescobaldi’s Masseto 2018 is a must-try for anyone who loves great Italian red wines.

4. San Leonardo 2016 by San Leonardo

San Leonardo 2016 by San Leonardo is a red wine that enchants with its elegance and structure . This wine is produced with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot grapes, which give it a unique complexity.

Main Features

• Vintage: 2016
• Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot
• Aging: 24 months in oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 13.5%

Tasting Notes

On the palate, San Leonardo 2016 presents a velvety texture and great structure. The hints of ripe red fruit mix with spicy and tobacco notes, offering a rich and satisfying tasting experience.

This wine is much more elegant than its price, and is unlikely to disappoint enthusiasts.

Recommended Pairings

San Leonardo 2016 pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is ideal to accompany important dinners and special occasions.

5. Montefalco Sagrantino by Arnaldo Caprai

Arnaldo Caprai's Montefalco Sagrantino is a wine that represents the excellence of Umbria. This red wine is known for its robust structure and firm tannins, which make it perfect for aging.

• Region : Umbria
• Grape variety : Sagrantino 100%
• Vintage : Variable

Organoleptic Characteristics

On the nose, Montefalco Sagrantino offers a complex bouquet with notes of berries, spices and a light hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is powerful and structured, with well-present tannins and balanced acidity.

Food Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is also ideal with typical Umbrian dishes such as roast lamb and stewed wild boar.

Without a reservation we were welcomed with extreme kindness and they added us to an organized tour. Very nice cellar, excellent tasting.

Tasting Notes

Arnaldo Caprai’s Montefalco Sagrantino is a wine that requires time to be fully appreciated. It is recommended to decant it at least an hour before serving to allow its aromas to fully develop.

6. Tignanello by Antinori

Antinori's Tignanello is one of the most iconic and representative wines of Tuscany. This wine is a Supertuscan, a category of wines that has revolutionized Italian winemaking thanks to the use of international grape varieties and innovative techniques.

Produced primarily with Sangiovese grapes, Tignanello also includes a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This blend gives the wine a unique complexity and structure.

Main features

• Grape varieties : Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• Region : Tuscany
• Aging : 12-14 months in barrique

Tasting Notes

On the nose, Tignanello offers intense aromas of ripe red fruits, sweet spices and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, it is rich and velvety, with well-integrated tannins and a long, persistent finish.

The positioning is already high, in fact it comes out at a price significantly above the average of the time for a Chianti Classico: 2,220 lire, approximately 300% more than the average.

Food pairings

Tignanello pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is also ideal with traditional Tuscan dishes such as Florentine steak.

Curiosity

Tignanello was one of the first wines in Italy to be aged in barrique and to use non-traditional grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, thus breaking with the conventions of Chianti Classico.

7. I Sodi di S. Niccolò 2017 from Castellare di Castellina

I Sodi di S. Niccolò 2017 by Castellare di Castellina is a wine that best represents the Tuscan winemaking tradition. This red wine is obtained from Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera grapes , carefully cultivated in the vineyards of Castellina in Chianti.

The bouquet is an explosion of complex aromas, with notes of ripe red fruit, sweet spices and a touch of aromatic herbs. On the palate, the wine presents itself with a well-defined, yet silky, tannic structure and a persistence that leaves a lasting impression.

A wine that stands out for its olfactory intensity and its ability to evolve over time, making it perfect for aging.

Main features

• Grape varieties : Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera
• Region : Tuscany
• Vintage : 2017
• Aromas : Ripe red fruit, sweet spices, aromatic herbs
• Taste : Silky tannins, long persistence

Recommended pairings

I Sodi di S. Niccolò 2017 pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is also ideal to accompany traditional Tuscan dishes, such as Florentine steak.

Tasting Notes

This wine has a wonderful heady nose of dark cherry and aromatic herbs, with a touch of saltiness that adds vivacity and opens up the dark fruit aromas on the nose.

8. Baffonero 2018 from Rocca di Frassinello

The Baffonero 2018 by Rocca di Frassinello is a red wine that represents the excellence of the Maremma Toscana. This wine is produced with 100% Merlot grapes, grown in vineyards located in the province of Grosseto. The Rocca di Frassinello winery is renowned for its splendid architecture and the quality of its wines.

Characteristics of Wine

• Grape variety : Merlot 100%
• Region : Tuscany (Maremma)
• Vintage : 2018
• Aging : 14 months in new French oak barrels

Tasting Notes

The 2018 Baffonero presents itself with an intense ruby ​​red color. On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet with notes of berries, sweet spices and a light hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-structured, with soft tannins and a long and persistent finish.

A wine that perfectly embodies the elegance and power of the Tuscan Maremma, making it an unforgettable tasting experience.

Food Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. It is also ideal to accompany traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Curiosity

The Rocca di Frassinello winery was designed by architect Renzo Piano, making it not only a place of wine production, but also an architectural attraction to visit. If you are in the province of Grosseto, you absolutely must try the Baffonero Maremma Toscana and visit this wonderful winery.

9. Amarone 2017 by Allegrini

Allegrini's Amarone 2017 is a highly prestigious red wine from the renowned Valpolicella region. This wine stands out for its significant alcohol content, which stands at around 15-16%, making it particularly warm and enveloping on the palate.

Main Features

• Vintage : 2017
• Region : Veneto, Italy
• Grape varieties : Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
• Alcohol Content : 15-16%

Tasting Notes

Allegrini's Amarone 2017 has an intense ruby ​​red color. On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet with notes of wild berries, cherries in alcohol and sweet spices. On the palate, it is velvety and structured, with a long and persistent finish.

This wine is ideal to accompany red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses. Thanks to its structure and complexity, it is also perfect for moments of meditation and slow tasting.

Price and Availability

Allegrini's 2017 Amarone is available in the best wine shops and online, with a price that varies between 50 and 70 euros per bottle, depending on the retailer and the offers available.

10. Bolgheri by Guado al Tasso 2018 by Antinori

Antinori’s Bolgheri di Guado al Tasso 2018 is a Tuscan red wine of great elegance and refinement. This wine has made the history of Cabernet in Italy , representing one of the best examples of Bolgheri.

Main features

• Color : Intense ruby ​​red
• Aroma : Notes of small red fruits such as cherry, morello cherry and raspberry, accompanied by aromas of anise and leather
• Taste : Good body, integrated tannins, strong fruity returns and clean finish

Winemaking

• Fermentation : In steel at controlled temperature with indigenous yeasts
• Maceration : 9-12 days in steel
• Aging : 24 months in French oak barrels

Grape varieties

• Cabernet Sauvignon : 85%
• Cabernet Franc : 15%

A wine that speaks of the eloquence of the Bolgheri terroir, combining elegance and complexity in every sip.

Antinori's Bolgheri di Guado al Tasso 2018 is a red wine that enchants with its intense aromas and enveloping taste. Perfect for a special dinner or a refined gift. Don't miss the opportunity to add it to your collection!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of Italian red wines is vast and fascinating, with a variety of flavors and aromas that can satisfy every palate. From light and fruity wines to full-bodied and structured ones, there is always something new to discover and appreciate. We hope this guide has inspired you to explore and taste some of the best Italian red wines. Remember, the best wine is the one you like the most, so don't be afraid to experiment and find your favorite. Cheers!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Italian red wine of 2018?

The best Italian red wine of 2018 is considered to be the Sassicaia 2018 by Tenuta S. Guido.

What are the best Italian red wines to try?

Among the best Italian red wines to try are the 2018 Sassicaia from Tenuta S. Guido, the 2018 Solaia from Antinori and the 2018 Masseto from Ornellaia – Frescobaldi.

What is a good Italian red wine to give as a gift?

A good Italian red wine to give as a gift is Barolo or Barbaresco. They are fine wines that can be aged.

Which Italian red wines are best suited for young people?

Light, crisp and immediate Italian red wines, such as those that recall the characteristics of Pinot Noir, are ideal for young people.

Which Italian red wines are perfect for an aperitif?

Italian red wines to be drunk chilled, such as Paltrinieri's Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice, are perfect for an aperitif.

What is the best Italian red wine for an important dinner?

For an important dinner, the Sassicaia 2018 by Tenuta S. Guido or the Tignanello by Antinori are excellent choices.