We had the great pleasure of taking two wine-tasting trips to Europe in 2025, where we tramped through gorgeous vineyards, met with visionary winemakers, and sampled a whole lot of brilliant wine. In Spring we visited parts of Umbria, Tuscany [Chianti, Brunello] and Sardinia. In the Fall we took our first wine-focused trip to Spain, spending two days in the Priorat region. So it’s no surprise that our Top 12 list leans heavily towards those wine regions.
As we close out 2025, we send you wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2026! Cheers, L’Chaim, À Votre Santé, Saluti, and Salud to our friends and readers.
Note: Some of our best-loved wines, largely those from smaller wineries in Sardinia and Priorat, are not distributed in the US, so we didn’t include them on this buyer-friendly list.
Above, from top left: a moody landscape at Castello di Ama; historic vintages at Goretti Winery; sampling the portfolio at Tenuta Olianas; the terraced vineyards of Priorat; Winemaker Giuseppe Lecis
Above, from left: the tasting room at Volpaia; the grounds of Fattoria dei Barbi; tasting the portfolio at Sassetti Livio Pertimali; an impromptu conversation with Donatella Cinelli Colombini
TOP WHITE WINES [in alphabetical order]
- Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine Blanco de Guarda 2022; Castilla y Léon, Spain $59 at Station Plaza Wine; Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Verdejo (20%); What a knock-out! Pale yellow, with surprising scents of citrus, mint and spices. It’s oaky, but in a good way; a smooth and brilliant food wine. Hit of the all-white wine tasting at Vinology in Madrid!
- Cellar Cal Pla Mas d’En Compte Blanc 2014; Priorat, Spain $26 at Solano Cellars; Grenache Blanca (50%), Picapoll Blanc (25%), Xarel·lo (25%); An outstanding wine from one of our favorite Priorat wineries. Deep gold color; rich and multi flavored, like a salty baked peach dish. We shipped home 7 bottles!
- Goretti Grechetto DOC Colli Perugini 2024, Perugia, Italy $80 for 3 bottles at Yiannis Wine Shop; The native Grechetto grape was one of the delightful discoveries during our trip to Umbria. Crisp, tart, and flavorful; full mouthfeel; a bit of floral at the finish; very food friendly.
- Olianas Vermentino di Sardegna 2025, Sardinia, Italy $15 at Luekens Wine + Spirits; Vermentino is a celebrated Sardinian grape and Olianas’ is a delight. Medium bodied with notes of peach, green melon, and grapefruit on the nose with plenty of peach and minerality on the palate from the sand and limestone soils.
- Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli, Getaria, Spain $17.49 at Total Wine; Hondarribi Zuri/white (75%), Hondarribi Beltza/red (25%) In 2019 we sang the praises of the Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli and it’s back again as a Top 12 wine. Wet limestone nose; crisp citrus flavors; tart finish, and that little frizzante to tickle your tongue.
TOP ROSÉ WINES
- Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé 2024, Tavel [Rhone], France $17.88 at Station Plaza Wine; Intense in color, smooth and pleasing on the palate. A blend of six red and white grapes [Grenache dominant], the Tavel is beautifully balanced and perfect as a pre-supper sipper or paired with fish or chicken.
- Pietraventosa Est Rosa Rosato 2022, Puglia, Italy $23 at K&L Wines A fresh, lively Primitivo rosato from Puglia. It’s pretty in pink but nothing like those bubble gum Provencal rosés. Lots of red berries and good minerality.
TOP RED WINES
- Casato Prime Donne, Donatella Cinelli Columbini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018, Montalcino, IT; $133 at Saratoga Wine
The 2018 Riserva is Gary’s favorite new Brunello. A “big red” with depth, concentrated fruit, and an appealing cherry/raisin nose.The wine is a work of art on the palate, with a slow-release of intense red fruits enveloped by velvet tannins and balanced minerality and acidity. - Castella di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG San Lorenzo 2018, Gaiole in Chianti, IT; $70 at Vivino; Sangiovese (80% ), Black Malvasia & Merlot (10% each); Toasty oak/vanilla nose with hints of leathered cigar humidor and green pepper. Fresh black cherry reduction. In the glass, harmonious mix of silken tannins, black fruits, and a long, pleasant finish.
- Hampton Royce Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023; Oakville; $130 at Invino
A Last Bottle surprise that really delivered! A bold Napa Cab, cedar and baking spice notes on the nose; blackberry/black currant fruit on the palate, with a smooth, velvety finish. Ready to drink or lay down for 10+ years. - Pian Delle Querci Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019, Montalcino, IT; $60 at Astor Wines A beautifully constructed, well-priced Brunello with aromas of toasted cedar and leathered humidor; smooth palate with tightly wound black cherries over a long, silky finish.
- Volpaia Balifico 2021, Radda in Chianti, IT; $125 at Cheateau Cellars; Sangiovese (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%); Medium-to-full bodied Toscana blend with ruby-to-black plum color. Scents of fine pipe tobacco and leathered cigar humidor; hints of black cherry reduction. Simply amazing on the palate with concentrated velvety red fruits, baking spice and even some licorice. In July we hosted a Super Tuscan blind tasting against Tignanello and two other wines. Spoiler alert: Balifico won!
VinoDuo 