Southern Italy and Islands

92 points The Wine Advocate:The 2008 Ramitello, a blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Aglianico, boasts fabulous clarity and freshness, with layers of vibrant dark cherries and plums that meld together with notable grace. Smoke, tar, menthol and licorice develop in the glass, giving the wine even more dimensions of expression. This is a terrific effort from Di Majo Norante. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. Antonio Galloni

93 points The Wine Advocate:The 2009 Ben Rye bursts from the glass with an exciting array of tangerine blossoms, sage, flowers of all sorts, candied orange peel and burnt sugar. Everything comes together beautifully in this explosive wine that lives up to its reputation as one of Italy's most pedigreed dessert wines. The 2009 is an extroverted Ben Rye full of character. Marzipan and pistachios are among the sensations that linger on an evocative finish full of Mediterranean intrigue. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Antonio Galloni

The Primitivo di Manduria is an opaque deep purple colour, with a vibrant nose of wild berries and spice, licquorice, roasted meats, dried herbs and earthy notes. The palate is rich,smooth, and balanced, with lots of spicy black fruit, ripe tannins and fresh acidity. A long harmonious finish shows the true class of this wine, a worthy alternative to the top Californian Zinfandels. Europvin Importer

Lacyrma Christi is one of the most traditional wines from Campania. A blend of 80% Coda di Volpe and 20% Falanghina, It is a wine of legend. The name Lacyrma Christi literally translates to "The Tears of Christ." There are a few stories of how this name came to be. One goes that when Jesus was ascending to heaven, he glanced down at the earth and saw the Bay of Naples. It was so beautiful that he wept tears of joy. His tears fell on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius where vines then grew. A more modern story tells of local monks who didn’t have filtering equipment; thus the wine was passed through canvas. As it fell drop by drop, it looked like tears. Palm Bay Imports

91 points The Wine Advocate-The 2007 Harmonium (Nero d’Avola) is a richly-textured offering laced with dark red raspberries, flowers, spices and French oak. The expansive, generous Harmonium delivers gorgeous depth, clarity and persistence on the palate in a full-bodied expression of Nero d’Avola. The French oak could be a little less intrusive, but this is nevertheless a highly successful wine from Firriato. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Antonio Galloni

91 points The Wine Advocvate:The 2007 Salice Salentino Riserva 50th Vendemmia is big, powerful and super intense. Ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, ash and game come through in this assertive Salice Salentino. Silky tannins round out the finish. As the name states, the 50th Vendemmia celebrates the estate's 50th harvest. The Riserva is 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera, aged in neutral French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Antonio Galloni