“Top 100” 2021 by Wine Spectator: Brunello and Barolo the most awarded, 23 Italian labels

Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo above all (with 3 labels each), representing an excellent Piedmont with Barbera d’Alba and Barbaresco and a top Tuscany with Chianti Classico and Nobile di Montepulciano, for a tour of Italy in bottles that also rewards Sardinia with Cannonau, Alto Adige with Pinot Grigio, Veneto with Amarone della Valpolicella and Custoza, Friuli with its Colli Orientali, Sicily with Etna and Nero d’Avola, Campania with Taurasi and Fiano di Avellino, and the bubbles of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Franciacorta: this is the Italian excellence, as described by the “Top 100” 2021 by “Wine Spectator”, the most influential wine ranking by the most popular American magazine, which, in this edition, has 23 Italian labels out of the 100 selected from all over the world (they were 19 in 2020).
Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Le Chiuse at No. 5, and Barolo Bricco Boschis 2016 Cavallotto, at No. 8. (No. 1 wine overall is Dominus Estate’s Napa Valley 2018), Italy is still in the chart at No. 12, with Poggio Landi’s Brunello di Montalcino 2016, Giuseppe Nada’s Barbaresco Casot 2017 at No. 15, and again Talenti’s Brunello di Montalcino 2016, at No. 17. Position No. 20 for Chianti Classico 2018 by Badia a Coltibuono, followed by another Tuscan, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016 by Salcheto at No. 26, before a trio all from Piedmont: Barbaresco 2016 by Cantina del Pino at No. 30, Barbera d’Alba 2019 by Pio Cesare at No. 38, and Barolo 2016 by Mauro Molino at No. 44. Moving on to Sardinia at no. 44 there is Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2018 by Tenute Sella & Mosca (Terra Moretti), while at no. 46 there is again the Gallo Nero with Chianti Classico San Marcellino Gran Selezione 2016 by Rocca di Montegrossi.
Opening the second half of the ranking, at no. 51, instead, is Alois Lageder’s 2019 Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti Terra Alpina, ahead of Tedeschi’s 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Marne 180 at no. 56, and Monte del Frà’s 2019 Custoza Superiore Cà del Magro at no. 59. After two great territories from Veneto, there is Piedmont again, with G.B. Burlotto’s Barolo Monvigliero 2016 at No. 63, and then eastward, Bastianich’s Friulano Friuli Colli Orientali Vini Orsone 2018 at No. 67. Closing is all about the South and bubbles: at no. 71 there is Nero d’Avola Sicilia Lagnusa 2017 by Feudo Montoni, at no. 75 the Taurasi Vigna Cinque Querce 2013 by Salvatore Molettieri, while at no. 82 is Masottina’s Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore RDO Rive di Ogliano 2019, at No. 90 Etna Rosso 2018 by Graci, at No. 93 a classic like Guido Berlucchi’s Brut Rosé Franciacorta ’61 NV, and at No. 95 Fiano di Avellino 2019 by Colli di Lapio.
A concise report of an Italy that, once again, confirms its ability to express excellence in diversity, in many territories, and with both native and historic vines and international varieties.
A summary of a classification, the “Top 100” of “Wine Spectator”, which lines up the best wines tasted during the year by the editorial staff of the magazine, taking into consideration what “Wine Spectator” itself calls “factor X”, capable of generating interest and enthusiasm around a wine, in addition, obviously, to quality (based on score), value (based on price) and availability (based on the number of cases produced or imported to the United States).

Focus - All Italian wines in the “Top 100” 2021 by “Wine Spectator”
5 - Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino 2016
8 - Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 2016
12 - Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino 2016
15 - Giuseppe Nada Barbaresco Casot 2017
17 - Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2016
20 - Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2018
26 - Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016
30 - Cantina del Pino Barbaresco 2016
38 - Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba 2019
40 - Mauro Molino Barolo 2016
44 - Tenute Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2018
46 - Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico San Marcellino Gran Selezione 2016
51 - Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti Terra Alpina 2019
56 - Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella Marne 180 2017
59 - Monte del Frà Custoza Superiore Cà del Magro 2019
63 - G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2016
67 - Bastianich Friulano Friuli Colli Orientali Vini Orsone 2018
71 - Feudo Montoni Nero d’Avola Sicilia Lagnusa 2017
75 - Salvatore Molettieri Taurasi Vigna Cinque Querce 2013
82 - Masottina Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore RDO Rive di Ogliano 2019
90 - Graci Etna 2018
93 - Guido Berlucchi Brut Rosé Franciacorta ’61 NV
95 - Colli di Lapio Fiano di Avellino 2019