Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

Tuscany is best known for its famous reds like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, but the Italian region makes a range of styles worth discovering. Today’s selection showcases this diversity, alongside the aforementioned classics. The winemakers featured here also have varied backgrounds, from relative newcomers to longtime pioneers, including a family that has been making wine for 24 generations.

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IL BORRO Toscana 2015 Score: 92 | $45

WS review: The black currant, black cherry and herbal aromas and flavors are well-balanced, unfolding to reveal cedar, iron, sanguine and tobacco notes that add depth and expression. Fine length. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2030. 1,500 cases imported.—Bruce Sanderson

Why it’s of note: A Bordeaux-style blend with a touch of Syrah, this wine hails from the Valdarno hills, which sit at an average of 1,000 feet above sea level. The Il Borro property dates to the 13th century, and was bought by the Ferragamo family in 1993 (of luxury-shoe fame). They refurbished the estate and became certified organic in 2015.

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CAPARZO Brunello di Montalcino 2014 Score: 92 | $45

WS review: Bright, with cherry and raspberry fruit, this Brunello is elegant and charming. Accents of mineral and peppery greens—arugula, mizuna—develop on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2032. 5,000 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: In the late 1960s, a few Tuscan wine–loving friends purchased a Montalcino property with vineyards, and renovated it into what is now the renowned Brunello di Montalcino winery Caparzo. Celebrated winemaker Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini bought it in 1998. Sangiovese grapes from various locations around the appellation come together in this bottling.

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SIRO PACENTI Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli 2014 Score: 91 | $42

WS review: This red shows complexity and depth to the plum, cherry, almond, graphite and tobacco flavors. Offers good grip and fine balance overall. Firms up on the finish, but lingers nicely. Best from 2020 through 2032. 515 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: Siro Pacenti established his namesake estate in 1970; his son Giancarlo now manages the operation. The grapes for this red hail from Pelagrilli, on the northern side of Montalcino, where the property is and where its first vines were planted. (The winery has since expanded to vineyards south of Montalcino.)

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LE MACCHIOLE Bolgheri 2017 Score: 90 | $33

WS review: Bright and succulent, this red offers cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors, accented by bell pepper, iron and tobacco notes. Turns lean on the finish, with lightly astringent tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2032. 1,350 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: The family-owned Le Macchiole, run by Cinzia Merli and her two sons, farms its 64 acres of estate vineyards organically. This bottling, also a Bordeaux blend with Syrah, sources grapes from various plots around Bolgheri, showcasing the region’s many soil types.

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TOSCOLO Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2017 Score: 90 | $14

WS review: Fresh and vibrant, this white offer flavors of apple, almond, peach, wild herbs and earth, with a distinctive mineral streak. Displays some weight, a lightly oily texture and a lingering saline finish. Drink now through 2024. 300 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: Toscolo was founded in 1988 by Neil and Maria Empson, of the Italian-wine imports company of the same name. The Vernaccia di San Gimignano appellation is the only white wine in Tuscany to have DOCG status. The wines, made from the Vernaccia grape, are refreshing and have a nice mix of fruit and savory notes.

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CECCHI Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2016 Score: 89 | $22

WS review: Cherry, leather, eucalyptus and earth notes combine here, while the iron and tobacco accents and firm, dry tannins suggest a traditional approach. Bright and elegant overall, with moderate length. Drink now through 2028. 20,000 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: Since Luigi Cecchi founded the company in the 1890s, Cecchi has grown to include four estates in Tuscany and Umbria, but its original plantings were in Chianti Classico. Storia di Famiglia was Cecchi’s first Chianti bottling and today is its signature wine.

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MAZZEI Vermentino Toscana Belguardo 2017 Score: 88 | $22

WS review: Peach and lemon aromas and flavors mark this rich white. Accents of sage and iron add depth as this ends, with a chalky feel and citrus peel bitterness on the finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases imported.—B.S.

Why it’s of note: The Mazzei family has been making wine in Tuscany for 24 generations. Ser Lapo Mazzei, an ancestor, helped define the region by creating the first recorded mention of Chianti wine in a 1398 letter. Today, Mazzei owns two estates in Tuscany and one in Sicily. This Vermentino, also a signature white grape in the region, comes from their Belguardo property in Maremma, which features soft and sandy soils.

Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

While France’s Champagne region is a go-to source for sparklers, there are exciting examples of bubbly from a wide range of regions around the world. Today’s selections span the spectrum of styles, from a fresh Californian pick to a rich Australian rosé, and quite a few in between. With celebration season in full swing and New Year’s Eve approaching, there’s no better time to branch out when it comes to bubbly.

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FLAUNT Brut Sonoma County NV Score: 91 | $48

WS Review: Steely and elegantly layered, offering vibrant pear and kiwi flavors accented by fresh ginger and spice. Drink now. 560 cases made.—Tim Fish

Why It’s of Note: Winemaker Dianna Novy Lee has made still wines for two decades: First, under the Pinot-centric Siduri label with her husband, Adam Lee, and then with her own project, Novy, making Zinfandel and Rhône styles. Now, she has shifted her focus to sparkling with the launch of Flaunt, which released this first bottling in 2017.

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NINO FRANCO Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano 2017 Score: 91 | $37

WS Review: A rich and creamy Prosecco enlivened by a firm backbone of juicy acidity, this offers a fine range of baked apricot, pastry cream, almond biscotti and spiced orange flavors that linger on the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,800 cases made.—Alison Napjus

Why It’s of Note: A family estate founded in the Italian town of Valdobbiadene in 1919, Nino Franco is now run by third-generation vintner Primo Franco and his wife, Annalisa. This bottling is made by tank method using 100 percent Glera grapes from the San Floriano vineyard.

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NINTH ISLAND Rosé Tasmania NV Score: 91 | $25

WS Review: Vibrant raspberry and mandarin orange notes are fresh and focused, with chamomile, lime zest and spice details lingering on the light, effortless frame. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec

Why It’s of Note: The Ninth Island label showcases the Tamar Valley region of Australia with its line of reds, whites and sparkling wines made from the Pipers Brook Estate, which features volcanic soil. This sparkling rosé blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Ninth Island and Pipers Brook brands are both part of Kreglinger Wine Estates, which also includes Norfolk Rise.

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THE LANE Blanc de Blancs Adelaide Hills Lois NV Score: 89 | $20

WS Review: Crisp and bright, with lemon curd, green apple and a touch of candied ginger. It’s smooth and spicy on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported.—M.W.

Why It’s of Note: Three Chardonnay clones from south-facing vineyards come together in this good-value sparkler. The family-owned Lane Vineyard is located in Australia’s Adelaide Hills, which boasts a Mediterranean climate with cooling breezes from the adjacent Great Australian Bight.

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BOUVET Brut Crémant de Loire Excellence 2016 Score: 88 | $20

WS Review: Fresh and open in feel with breezy peach, pear and green apple flavors backed by a flash of white ginger. Stays generous through the finish. Drink now. 200,000 cases made.—James Molesworth

Why It’s of Note: Established in 1851 by a 23-year-old Etienne Bouvet, the Bouvet winery has become synonymous with Loire sparkling wines. The 2016 bottling of this bubbly blends Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, and showcases the region’s 2016 vintage, which brought more freshness and acidity than some recent previous years.

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CA’ D’OR Brut Blanc de Blancs Lessini Durello 2016 Score: 88 | $21

WS Review: A smoky base note and rich hints of lemon curd and pastry are layered with poached apricot and candied ginger flavors in this firm and well-knit sparkler. Drink now. 17,000 cases made.—A.N.

Why It’s of Note: This vintage-dated Italian sparkler is made with 100 percent Durella grapes, harvested by hand from Ca’ D’Or’s top vineyards in Franciacorta, Italy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks for about a year before some additional aging in the bottle.

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BORTOLOTTI Brut Rosé Lagrein Vino Spumante UB NV Score: 87 | $19

WS Review: A garnet-hued rosé, with a toasty overtone to the lively flavors of pureed raspberry, candied orange peel and dried thyme. Smoke-tinged, with a creamy finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.—A.N.

Why It’s of Note: Representing Bortolotti‘s only sparkling rosé, this Italian bottling is made entirely from the red Lagrein grape. It draws its deep color from extended skin contact early in the fermentation process, before undergoing a short aging period in the bottle.

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CA’ DI RAJO Extra Dry Prosecco Treviso NV Score: 86 | $15

WS Review: Lightly juicy and balanced, with candied lemon peel and ginger notes accenting the ripe apricot and Gala apple fruit. Drink now. 54,166 cases made.—A.N.

Why It’s of Note: Italian producer Ca’ di Rajo makes still wines from Cabernet, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and more, as well as several sparklers, from Moscato styles to Prosecco. Expect a little more residual sugar from this extra dry bottling than its brut counterpart.

Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

Napa Valley may be the most well-regarded U.S. wine region, but producers from coast to coast continue to prove there’s much to be discovered outside California. From a benchmark New York Riesling to a vibrant white from a renowned red winemaker, today’s selections represent both classic regional examples and bold new ventures, each offering a window into American winemaking today, at $35 or less.

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GORMAN Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Old Scratch 2016 Score: 92 | $30

WS Review: This wine is no wallflower, with a broad-shouldered structure but plenty of plump blackberry, crushed rock and savory spice flavors. Finishes with a snap of tannins, so hands off for now. Best from 2020 through 2026. 1,200 cases made.—Tim Fish

Why It’s of Note: Gorman makes many standout wines at accessible price points, focusing on rugged examples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and blends of the two. This bottling has been aged for 18 months in French oak and will show well with a couple more years in the cellar.

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K Syrah Washington Motor City Kitty 2015 Score: 92 | $35

WS Review: A broad-shouldered red, with vivid blueberry, bittersweet chocolate and black olive flavors that power toward big but refined tannins. Best from 2020 through 2026. 1,440 cases made.—T.F.

Why It’s of Note: Edgy Washington winemaker Charles Smith channels his wild side into K Vintners‘ Syrahs, like the one that earned the No. 2 spot in the Top 10 Wines of 2017. This even more affordable version from a nearby vineyard expresses similar hallmarks with bold fruit and savory elements.

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REX HILL Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2016 Score: 92 | $35

WS Review: Shows precision and presence, with refined raspberry, black tea and forest floor accents that take on richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025. 6,909 cases made.—T.F.

Why It’s of Note: Established in 1982 and purchased by A to Z Wineworks in 2006, Rex Hill is a veteran producer of Oregon Pinot Noir. The wines benefited from warm weather and an early harvest in 2016—Oregon’s third excellent vintage in a row—leading to this great example.

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FORGE Riesling Seneca Lake Dry Classique 2017 Score: 91 | $19

WS Review: Jasmine and mustard seed notes lead the way here, backed by a mix of yellow apple, mirabelle plum and citrus oil flavors. Shows good intensity through the finish. Drink now through 2022. 5,773 cases made.—James Molesworth

Why It’s of Note: This is the core wine in Forge‘s range, a New York winery led by Rhône-based winemaker Louis Barruol of Château de St.-Cosme. It’s made from grapes on the southeast edge of Seneca Lake and the west side of Cayuga Lake. Instead of the more traditional stainless steel–only aging for Riesling, this cuvée relies on 50 percent neutral French oak.

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ASHAN Chardonnay Columbia Valley Barrel Fermented 2017 Score: 90 | $25

WS Review: Zesty and jammed with spice, plus Asian pear and apricot flavors that finish on a lively, snappy note. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.—T.F.

Why It’s of Note: Under his Ashan label, winemaker Chris Gorman makes wines that contrast the rich red blends of his original Gorman label. Ashan Chardonnays tend to be fruity and vibrant, like this example sourced from multiple Washington vineyards and aged in neutral French oak.

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LUKE Merlot Wahluke Slope 2016 Score: 90 | $25

WS Review: Zesty and approachable, with well-built cherry, coffee bean and spice flavors that finish with polished tannins. Drink now through 2023. 1,053 cases made.—T.F.

Why It’s of Note: In 2015, Zero One‘s Thomas and Kristin Vogele launched the Luke label, named after the Wahluke Slope. This subregion of Columbia Valley in Washington is known for generous Syrahs and Cabernet Sauvignons. After their first release—a Cabernet-dominant blend—the duo expanded to Merlot with this version.