February 2026Wines of the Month

For the wine snob: This wine is made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are hand-harvested from estate vineyards. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel followed by six to eight months of maturation before bottling. Crafted for accessibility, the fresh fruitiness of Altesino’s Rosso Toscana is ready to be enjoyed upon release.

For the rest of us: A vibrant ruby red color and inviting aromas of ripe berries and forest fruits. Incredibly supple on the palate, with excellent body and balanced structure.

For the wine snob: Grillo is one of the 4 monovarietal wines of the Colori di Sicilia line by Feudi del Pisciotto. A native vine of the territory, it gives life to whites with personality and depth. Grillo by Feudi del Pisciotto is a fresh, full-bodied, slightly savory and mineral wine. On the label, brush strokes of blue that evoke the Sicilian sea, taken from the ceramics of the great master of Caltagirone, Giacomo Alessi.

For the rest of us: Fruity aromas of white peaches, tropical fruit, honey, almonds, and floral hints of jasmine and flowering meadows. Full and fresh on the palate.

For the wine snob: 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, 5% Corvinone. The manual harvesting of the grapes is followed by de-stemming and traditional maceration for a period of 10-12 days in stainless steel fermenters. At the end of the alcoholic fermentation, the wine is separated from the skins with gentle pressing and aged in oak casks for about 12 months.

For the rest of us: On the nose, it delivers delicate hints of almond and violet. On the palate, it’s dry and smooth with good structure and wonderfully robust notes of cherry and prune. This wine has an impressive lingering finish with rich flavor.

For the wine snob: Millions of years ago, salty water reached the Alps before progressively withdrawing and leaving behind huge deposits of sand. What was once a seabed has transformed into the Roero hills. Despite their proximity, the Roero is much younger than the Langhe and certainly owes its characteristics to the Tanaro river. The climate is continental, temperate cold, with a fairly precise alternation of seasons. The diurnal swings in temperature between day and night of this area favor the concentration of the aromas and ensure that the grape has a good balance.

For the rest of us: Straw yellow in color, the bouquet is delicate, fresh, fruity The palate is dry, fresh and elegantly harmonic with moderate acidity. Pairs with light appetizers, fish courses and white meats.

For the wine snob: The vines for Senes grow in the Costera estate, which is located in the Siurgus Donigala area to the north of Cagliari in southern Sardegna. Senes is vinified in Stainless Steel tanks before being transferred to fiberglass-lined Concrete where the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. A full year of ageing in barriques is followed by an additional 12 months’ refinement in bottle.

For the rest of us: deep purple in appearance. The wine is both structured (with firm acid and ripe tannins) and soft/velvety at the same time. Rich aromas of sweet blackberry and prune mingle with Mediterranean herbs and sweet cooking spices like cinnemon and nutmeg. Persistence of flavor throughout the finish underscores the high quality of this limited production wine.

For the wine snob: The 2024 Viognier is sourced from two distinct sites both in the Yakima Valley: Red Willow Vineyard on the far western edge and Olsen Vineyard on the far eastern edge. The cooler climate at Red Willow produce wines that offer fantastic floral notes and citrus flavors. The warmer climate and south facing slopes at Olsen produce wines with ripe melon and tropical fruit characteristics. The 2024 Viognier spent 6 months being aged in a mix of vessels to achieve depth and balance: 58% used French oak, 26% stainless steel, 9% new French oak, and 7% concrete egg. The concrete enhances mouthfeel like oak while maintaining the pure aromatics of stainless steel. The new French oak imparts subtle layers of sweet spice and added texture, while the used oak component enriches mouthfeel without overwhelming the wine’s natural character. Stainless steel preserves the delicate aromatics and brings a vibrant freshness to the palate. Fermented dry over three months at low temperatures, this Viognier retains its elegant aromatics. Through fermentation, gentle lees stirring enhances texture and complexity. Once the winemaking team determines the optimal balance, malolactic fermentation is halted, and the wine is then filtered prior bottling.

For the rest of us: Beautiful brightness in the glass with a nose that reveals layers of ripe peach, delicate orange blossom, apricot, jasmine, and subtle vanilla nuances. The palate experiences remarkable freshness – full-bodied yet precisely balanced with vibrant peach and citrus flavors culminating in a pristine, clean finish.

For the wine snob: The Grattamacco vineyards are located at an altitude of about 100m above sea level, in a wonderfully protected position over one of Bolgheri’s only two hills. This area benefits from a dry climate with considerable temperature fluctuations and is famous for its great wines.

For the rest of us: The nose is a combo of dark fruits and chocolate with notes of plum and black currants, elegant and full with a fresh balsamic finish given by the Sangiovese. It pairs perfectly with typical, hardy Tuscan dishes and is excellent throughout the meal for its freshness and its versatile character.

For the wine snob: At almost 5,000 feet elevation in the Andean foothills, the Adrianna vineyard’s calcareous soils and cool climate are the promised land of Chardonnay. The fruit from the Adrianna vineyard has a purity of flavors and a minerality that is particular to this vineyard and cannot be found anywhere else in Mendoza. The nearby, gravel-covered Domingo Vineyard makes up 20% of the blend.

For the rest of us: Yellow in hue with a golden sheen. The floral nose presents appealing green apple, cedar, and nut aromas with hints of fennel and quince in the background. On the palate, it has a creamy, chalky texture and tart acidity resulting in a taut, refreshing mouthfeel. A well-crafted Chardonnay that sums up the advantages of high-altitude vineyards.