K&L Italian wine expert Orazio Campoli presenting a curated selection of Italian wines in front of a map of Italy’s wine regions — A curated look at Italy’s diverse wine regions wih K&L Italian Wine Buyer, Orazio Campoli.

Italian wine has been the focus of my work for many years, and it’s still the category that excites me most. No other country offers the same range of native grapes, regional nuance, and deep historical continuity—nor the same opportunity to find wines that feel truly meaningful to drink. This email brings together a collection of Italian releases I’m especially proud of, spanning cellar‑worthy icons and bottles I reach for on a weeknight, all sourced with the same philosophy: trust the grower, honor the place, and never lose sight of value.

At the center is Brunello di Montalcino 2021, a highly collectible vintage that captures the purity and tension I look for in great Brunello: structured, vibrant, and unmistakably Montalcino. I’m particularly excited to introduce Cerbaiona as a new direct‑import partner. This estate has long stood among Montalcino’s most respected names, and their 2021 Brunello is a powerful statement of elegance and restraint. Being able to work directly with a producer of this caliber is exactly why K&L’s model matters.

Italy also shines brightest at the table, and that’s where Tenute Inverso comes in. This Abruzzo project is K&L‑exclusive and represents everything I love about small, passionate growers working with native varieties. These are wines with character and honesty, priced so you can open them any night of the week without hesitation.

For collectors, we’re offering a stunning lineup from Vietti, including 2021 single‑vineyard Barolo and their 2019 and 2016 Riserva Barbaresco—serious wines that reward patience and careful attention.

You’ll also find selections from K&L’s Italian Discovery Series, our private‑label wines designed to deliver real regional identity at exceptional prices, and we close with a true benchmark: Sassicaia 2023.

I hope you’ll keep reading and enjoy exploring these wines as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing them to you.

— Orazio Campoli, K&L Italy Buyer

2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Guide: Cellar-Worthy and Structured
Cerbaiona Joins K&L Direct Imports: A Cult Brunello di Montalcino Producer
Discover Tenute Inverso: A K&L Exclusive from Abruzzo
Inside Vietti’s 2021 Barolo Crus: Collectible Benchmarks for the Cellar
Italian Discovery Series: Curated Italy, Exclusively for K&L
2023 Tenuta San Guido “Sassicaia”: A True Blue-Chip Acquisition

2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Guide

Historic Italian town square with stone clock tower, reflecting regional Italian wine heritage — Centuries of history and regional identity shape Italy’s wine culture, where local tradition and place remain inseparable from what’s in the glass

The wait is finally over. The 2021 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino is starting to hit our shelves, and the consensus is clear: if 2019 was the year of operatic harmony and 2020 was the year of solar warmth, 2021 is the year of the “vertical” masterpiece. The 2021 Brunello vintage has produced wines that don’t just sit on the palate; they stand up. It’s a year defined by transparency, “al dente” structure, and a nervy energy that reminds us why this small hill in Tuscany remains the epicenter of the Sangiovese world. For the collector who values precision over sheer mass, the 2021 vintage is a masterclass in what makes Montalcino special. Read More On the Trail.

2021 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 96 $54.99 View
2021 Baricci "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $120) 100 $89.99 View
2021 Canalicchio di Sopra "La Casaccia" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 97 $189.99 View
2021 Canalicchio di Sopra "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 98 $189.99 View
2021 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 96 $89.99 View
2021 Casanova di Neri "Giovanni Neri" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 98 $329.99 View
2021 Casanova di Neri "Tenuta Nuova" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 100 $129.99 View
2021 Casanova di Neri "White Label" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 95 $69.99 View
2021 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $80) 95 $49.99 View
2021 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $60) 94 $49.99 View
2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $229) 99 $149.99 View
2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L) (Pre-Arrival) 99 $249.99 View
2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino 6-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $1300) 99 $899.99 View
2021 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona "Pianrosso" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 98 $99.99 View
2021 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 96 $59.99 View
2021 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $130) 99 $99.99 View
2021 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L) (Pre-Arrival) 99 $199.99 View
2021 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino (3L) (Pre-Arrival) 99 $499.99 View
2021 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 6-Pack in OCC (Pre-Arrival) 99 $539.99 View
2021 Fattoria dei Barbi "Vigna Fiore" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 94 $99.99 View
2021 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 94 $54.99 View
2021 Franco Pacenti "Canalicchio" Brunello di Montalcino 98 $69.99 View
2021 Franco Pacenti "Rosildo" Brunello di Montalcino 96 $129.99 View
2021 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $120) 99 $99.99 View
2021 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L) (Pre-Arrival) 99 $249.99 View
2021 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 6-Pack in OCC (Pre-Arrival) 99 $549.99 View
2021 Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 100 $89.99 View
2021 Giodo "Pretto" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 97 $79.99 View
2021 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 99 $149.99 View
2021 Il Marroneto "Madonna Delle Grazie" Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Pre-Arrival) 100 $499.99 View
2021 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $120) 98 $99.99 View
2021 La Gerla "La Pieve" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 100 $89.99 View
2021 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 96 $69.99 View
2021 L'Aietta "Alberelli" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 99 $499.99 View
2021 Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 98 $99.99 View
2021 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino 94 $89.99 View
2021 Livio Sassetti "Pertimali" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 94 $59.99 View
2021 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 99 $249.99 View
2021 San Polino "Helichrysum" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $100) 98 $69.99 View
2021 San Polino Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $75) 96 $54.99 View
2021 Talenti Brunello "Piero" di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 97 $119.99 View
2021 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 95 $59.99 View
2021 Valdicava "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $400) 99 $349.99 View
2021 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $200) 99 $149.99 View

Cerbaiona Joins K&L Direct Imports

I’m honored to welcome the cult Brunello di Montalcino estate Cerbaiona to our Direct Import portfolio. Located on a prestigious Galestro ridge in Montalcino, Cerbaiona is world-renowned for its high-altitude elegance and uncompromising traditional winemaking. This is a massive milestone for our Direct Import program. In the world of Montalcino, Cerbaiona is one of those names that collectors and buyers discuss in hushed, reverent tones. As the national buyer for Italian wine, I have spent years tracking this estate, and bringing it into our DI portfolio is a career highlight. Read more On the Trail.

2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $229) 99 $149.99 View
2023 Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival) 94 $39.99 View

Discover Tenute Inverso: A K&L Exclusive from Abruzzo

If there’s one thing Italian wine does well, it’s belonging at the table. Italian wine is a true example of the partnership between wine and food, and how they both bring out the best in one another. The wines from Tenuta Inverso from Abruzzo are a textbook expression of that philosophy. Let's start off by saying this is one of the most exciting, under-the-radar projects in Abruzzo right now. Tenute Inverso is a tiny, family-run discovery that produces an incredibly small amount of this wine—just around 2000 bottles. We are incredibly proud to have this as a K&L exclusive. Read more On the Trail.

2022 Tenute Inverso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $17.99 View
2024 Tenute Inverso "Anfora" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $22.99 View

Inside Vietti’s 2021 Barolo Crus

Few estates in Piedmont occupy the rarefied position that Vietti holds today. Founded in the late 19th century in Castiglione Falletto, Vietti has long been both a guardian of tradition and a catalyst for progress, helping to define how the world understands Barolo and Barbaresco. Decades before single‑vineyard bottlings became the norm, Vietti was already isolating and elevating individual crus, insisting that Barolo was not a monolith but a mosaic of distinct sites. That conviction—paired with meticulous farming, sensitive winemaking, and an unerring sense of balance—has made Vietti one of the great reference-point producers of Piedmont. Read More On the Trail.

2021 Vietti "Rocche di Castiglione" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere 250) 98 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Rocche di Castiglione" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 98 $574.99 View
2021 Vietti "Ravera" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $250) 98 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Ravera" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 98 $574.99 View
2021 Vietti "Monvigliero" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $250) 98 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Monvigliero" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 98 $574.99 View
2021 Vietti "Cerequio" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $250) 97 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Cerequio" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 97 $574.99 View
2021 Vietti "Brunate" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $250) 97 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Brunate" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 97 $574.99 View
2021 Vietti "Lazzarito" Barolo (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $250) 97 $199.99 View
2021 Vietti "Lazzarito" Barolo 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $750) 97 $574.99 View
2019 Vietti "Rabaja" Barbaresco Riserva (1.5LT) 1-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival) 97 $599.99 View
2019 Vietti "Rabaja" Barbaresco Riserva 1-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival) 97 $279.99 View
2016 Vietti "Villero" Barolo Riserva (1.5L) 1-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival) 98 $999.99 View
2016 Vietti "Villero" Barolo Riserva (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $600) 98 $499.99 View
2016 Vietti "Villero" Barolo Riserva 3-Pack in OWC (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $1800) 98 $1,499.99 View

Italian Discovery Series: Curated Italy, Exclusively for K&L

Italian red wine bottles including Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Super Tuscan wine

Italy is a mosaic of grape varieties, microclimates, and centuries-old traditions—an endless source of soulful, food-driven wines shaped by place. We created our Discovery Series to bring the best of that tradition directly to our customers, focusing on what matters most: authenticity, balance, and value. I personally selected each wine in this series because I was blown away by what it delivered. Each comes from a small, family-run estate and was bottled exclusively for K&L. I'm proud that we can offer classic regional character at prices that remain refreshingly accessible.

Our Italian Discovery Series is a masterclass in everyday Northern and Southern Italian drinking: benchmark appellations, indigenous varieties, and stylistic authenticity, all offered at values that are increasingly rare in today’s market. These are wines we believe in deeply. Whether you’re stocking the cellar or looking for weeknight Italy with serious pedigree, this is some of the smartest buying we do all year.

2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Super Tuscan (Elsewhere $110) $39.99 View
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release) (Elsewhere $60) $34.99 View
2020 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Elsewhere $30) $17.99 View
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi (Elsewhere $70) $37.99 View
2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino (Elsewhere $110) $59.99 View
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Elsewhere $60) $27.99 View
2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (Elsewhere $35) $17.99 View

2023 Tenuta San Guido “Sassicaia” Bolgheri

Wooden cases of Sassicaia Super Tuscan wine stacked at K&L Wine Merchants — One of Italy’s most iconic wines, Sassicaia helped define Bolgheri and the Super Tuscan movement.

The 2023 San Guido "Sassicaia" Bolgheri $284.99 100WA 98DC stands as one of the most consequential Italian wine releases of the decade, reaffirming its singular status at the summit of fine wine collecting. Awarded a perfect 100-point score by The Wine Advocate and additional top-tier acclaim from Decanter, the 2023 vintage is distinguished by a rare combination of early aromatic generosity and formidable long-term structure—an uncommon trait for a wine famously reserved in its youth. Born of a challenging growing season marked by cold winter conditions, heavy rainfall, and severe downy mildew pressure, the estate’s uncompromising selection resulted in a 20% yield reduction, elevating both quality and scarcity.

Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, this Sassicaia captures the estate’s classical, aristocratic identity with lifted aromatics, fine-grained tannins, and a saline-driven finish that promises three decades or more of graceful evolution. For collectors, the 2023 is not merely a benchmark of modern Bolgheri, but a blue-chip acquisition—an intellectually thrilling, tightly wound vintage that smart collectors will quietly prize for generations.