2024 has undoubtedly been a very Italian year for me, so it’s no surprise that my Top 10 wine picks are steeped in Italian charm. Each wine earns its place either for sheer drinkability or for the compelling stories that elevate the experience. Tuscany takes centre stage this year, with a dazzling array of wines that left me utterly captivated.
Outdoor dinner for 1000 guests at the Viale dei Cipressi during Bolgheri DiVino
Bolgheri stands out as the most Instagram-worthy and unforgettable region. Dining al fresco with 1,000 guests along Viale dei Cipressi during Bolgheri DiVino was a truly breathtaking affair. What made it all the more fascinating was the complete lack of a backup plan for rain – a planner’s worst nightmare. In the end, we had only a few drops, and it was moments like these that make Italy unforgettable.
I was the guest of Tenuta Argentiera who celebrating its 25th anniversary during the Bolgheri DiVino week. The winery was founded in 1999, now thriving under Austrian owner Stanislaus Turnauer with the guidance of its CEO Federico Zileri Dal Verme and winemaker Nicolò Carrara.
As a Bordeaux inspired region, I was truly impressed with how Bolgheri’s unique climate imbues a vibrant freshness and remarkable balance, crafting a wine of refined grace and soulful terroir. The standout from the vertical tasting was the Tenuta Argentiera 2018 Bolgheri DOC Superiore – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (10%). Balsamic notes linger as ripe black fruits mingle with herbal hints, leading to a peppery, spiced finish. The palate is both silky and bold, with Cabernet Franc – thriving in its elevated southwest-facing vineyard – imparting depth and structure.
Tenuta Sette Cieli in Bolgheri ©Lido Vannucchi
If the 10% Cabernet Franc in blends isn’t enough to showcase the variety’s potential in this region, Tenuta Sette Cieli’s 100% Cabernet Franc “Scipio 2019,” crafted by winemaker Elena Pozzolini – hailed by Wine Enthusiast as a “trailblazing woman in wine” – surely will. Classified as an IGT Toscana due to its vineyard’s 400-metre elevation, which exceeds the Bolgheri DOC limit, this wine spent 15 months ageing in French oak (40% new). It reveals an aromatic bouquet of dried flowers, autumn leaves, and wild blueberries, with a delicate hint of bell pepper adding intrigue. Elegance defines it, with redcurrant and dark coffee notes complementing broad yet ripe tannins that balance power with finesse.
Heading east from Bolgheri, Cabernet Franc continues to captivate. James Marshall-Lockyer, an Oxford philosopher turned winemaker is crafting Bordeaux blends in Lucignano with Pinot Noir drinkers in mind. Barrel-tasting his 2023 Cabernet Franc is like stepping into an autumn rose garden, with notes of leafy forest and dried rose petals.
Equally captivating is the Tenuta Licinia Sasso di Fata 2022, a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot rounding it out. Already beguiling in its youth, its chalky tannins offer a firm yet graceful structure, while vibrant red and black fruits glide across the palate with a supple, almost velvety smoothness.
Tenuta Liliana's winemaker Andrea Fattizzo(l) and husband and wife team of the Intiglietta family in front of the fossil seabed
Continuing the Bordeaux theme, a summer visit to Puglia revealed an unexpected gem: a region renowned for Primitivo also producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Tenuta Liliana, perched in Parabita overlooking the Ionian Sea, showcases this potential with style. Owner Antonio Intiglietta, with his background in Milan’s international art fairs, has infused the winery with a refined design, complemented by a striking fossil seabed behind the building.
Cabernet Sauvignon, chosen based on soil analysis, takes centre stage under the guidance of winemaker Andrea Fattizzo. Tenuta Liliana’s Ladame Salento Rosso IGT 2022, aged for eight months in oak, radiates the warmth of sun-drenched Cabernet, with dark, juicy cassis enriching the palate and sweet oak spices adding depth. While wonderfully approachable now, I’d recommend cellaring it for a few years to allow its full potential to unfold.
Produttori di Manduria's commercial director Giovanni Dimitri
It’s no exaggeration to say that Puglia continues to both evolve and surprise. Produttori di Manduria, already a well-known and trusted name in the UK (Importer: Alliance Wine), still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Take its Charmat-method sparkling Primitivo, for example. Under the scorching 40°C summer sun, I couldn’t resist the charm of its brut-style “Aka Charme Rosato Spumante.”
Its vibrant pink hue and lively notes of strawberry and raspberry make it a pleasant standalone sipper or the perfect base for a delightful Spritz—the Puglian twist on a classic summer cocktail. What’s not to love?
If Puglia isn’t the first place that comes to mind for sparkling wines, then surely Emilia-Romagna is? A long-time fan of a well-made Lambrusco, I was thrilled to attend the “Lambrusco Goes Large” tasting in London, where the diversity and quality on display were truly impressive. Among the standouts during the masterclass was Cleto Chiarli’s Vecchia Modena Premium, Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC Brut Frizzante. Its deep pink hue sets the stage for a beautifully restrained bouquet of red cherry and strawberry. On the palate, the fruit shines with clarity, balanced by a lively, refreshing acidity that adds vibrancy to each sip. Produced using the Charmat method with three months on lees, it’s a superb example of what Lambrusco can achieve (Importer: Liberty Wines).
Back to Tuscany again, and many Brunello di Montalcino wines that I tasted this year truly shine.
A vertical tasting from 2010 to 2019 of the iconic producer Poggio di Sotto, held in London earlier this year, really blew my mind. In its organic vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, over 182 biotypes of Sangiovese have been identified through collaboration with the University of Florence. The line-up was impressive as expected, and I was especially drawn to the Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2018 – a challenging vintage for many in Montalcino due to fungal diseases. Yet the result was amazing. This vintage showcases remarkable drinkability while promising extensive ageing potential. It presents a savoury, earthy bouquet with subtle leather notes. Velvety tannins provide a silky yet structured mouthfeel, leading to a long, harmonious finish that is both refined and complete.
As if I weren’t impressed enough by this Brunello di Montalcino, another vertical tasting in the autumn firmly placed Brunellos in my top 10 wines of 2024 – this time for their ageing potential. A 23-year-old Poggio Antico exemplifies the remarkable longevity of Brunello di Montalcino.
Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2001 opens with pronounced notes of spices and oak, complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha. The palate reveals layers of dark cherry and ripe fruit, enriched by the depth developed through reductive ageing. The tannins are firm yet graceful. A long, luxurious finish lingers with nuances of dark chocolate and a refined, chalky texture.
It is worth mentioning that both of the above Brunello di Montalcino producers currently collaborate with La Place de Bordeaux for their international distribution, which further highlights their prestigious status. However, from 2025, Poggio Antico will work with Berkmann Wine Cellars for its UK distribution.
Having lived on islands my entire life – born and raised in Taiwan, and now residing in the UK – island wines have always held a special place in my heart. So, it’s only fitting that I conclude my Top 10 of 2024 with two exceptional wines from Italy’s islands.
Duca di Salaparuta in Sicily marks its 200th anniversary in 2024, and even in London, tasting their iconic wines still evokes the warmth of Sicilian sunshine. The Duca Enrico, Nero d’Avola, Sicilia DOC 2020 is particularly special, being the first bottled Nero d’Avola in Sicilian winemaking history, dating back to 1824. Matured for around 18 months in oak, the wine opens with the gentle warmth of clove and cinnamon, unfolding into ripe blackberries and succulent raspberries. Its supple, rounded texture is beautifully enhanced by silky tannins, creating a wine of irresistible charm.
Leona De Pasquale with Marchese Frescobaldi on Gorgona Island
The most remarkable island wine of 2024 for me is undoubtedly Marchese Frescobaldi’s Gorgona project. Gorgona, a prison island off Livorno, is home to a unique vineyard run by the Frescobaldi family. In 2012, they partnered with the prison to enhance the island’s 2.3-hectare vineyard, providing inmates with invaluable viticulture skills. The project not only offers them regular wages, but has also led to an impressive reoffending rate of less than 1%. The vineyard has since expanded to include Sangiovese, Vermentino Nero, and other varieties, giving inmates a chance to learn, earn, and reintegrate into society.
During my visit to the island earlier this year, I had the pleasure of trying the newly released Gorgona Costa Toscana IGT 2023, a blend of Vermentino and Ansonica. With its golden hue, the wine unveils complex, elegant floral notes, ripe pear, and tropical fruits, all with a subtle ocean breeze and delicate salty finish – truly capturing the essence of the island.
A grand finale!
Leona De Pasquale DipWSET is the founder and chief educator of Camellia and Vine, a London-based wine and tea event company specialising in hospitality training and corporate events. Its clients include the London Eye and the Gold Service Scholarship. Leona also provides coaching sessions for WSET Diploma D3 students at Next Diploma Coaching
