Kerin O’Keefe’s Top 100

Italian Wines of 2023

5 Gems - All In Stock!

#7) 2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc

100 KO / 98 JD / 97 JS / 96 DE / 96 VM / 95 WS

$104.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

#30) 2019 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2019

97 KO / 97 WA / 96 VM / 96 WS

$89.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

#31) 2020 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja

97 KO / 95 VM / 95 DE

$53.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

#48) 2019 Trediberri Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata

96 KO / 95 JD / 95 VM

$194.89 (1.5L) In Stock – Buy Now

#71) 2019 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco

95 KO / 95 WE / 94 WA / 93 JS

$59.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

Wine writer Kerin O’Keefe only covers Italian wine. An American who married an Italian after falling in love with him (and with Italian wine!). She has written a number of books about Italian wine: “Franco Biondi Santi, the Gentleman of Brunello”, “Brunello di Montalcino – One of Italy’s Greatest Wines”, and “Barolo and Barbaresco, the King and Queen of Italian Wine”. She has been a contributor to Decanter, and Italian Editor for Wine Enthusiast, among others. She now has her own website dedicated to Italian wine.

It’s fair to say she has a great connection to, and knowledge of, the wines of Italy. (Although I do have to note she had her first wine ever, a Claret, with Robert Plant while in England at University!)

So, when her top 100 wines of 2023 came out, we were hoping we might have a few on the list. Some of the wines on the list are not even landed here yet, so hopefully we will get more in the future.

In the meantime, we are lucky to have these five great wines to offer to you. They are all in stock and ready for your cellar. 

2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc

$104.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

100 KO / 98 JD / 97 JS / 96 DE / 96 VM / 95 WS

#7 Kerin O’Keefe Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

The compelling 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc from Paolo Scavino is drop-dead gorgeous. Opening with heady scents of Alpine herb, iris, dark spice and perfumed berry, it showcases the magnificent site, the fantastic vintage and the generational experience of the Scavino family. Stunningly delicious and radiant, it delivers ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange and licorice set against firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Notes of tobacco and almond linger on the finish. Drink 2029–2059. –Kerin O’Keefe

2019 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2019

$89.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

97 KO / 97 WA / 96 VM / 96 WS / 94 JS / 94 JS 17++ JR

#30 Kerin O'Keefe Top 100 of 2023

Intensely fragrant, G.D. Vajra’s stunning 2019 Ravera features aromas of violet, iris, red berry, baking spice and menthol. It’s luminous, elegantly structured and focused, offering sour cherry, raspberry, star anise and crushed mint alongside taut, refined tannins. Drink 2027–2044. Abv: 14%-Kerin O’Keefe

2020 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja

$53.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

97 KO / 95 VM / 95 DE / 94 JS / 93+ JD / 93 WA

#31 Kerin O'Keefe Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

Made from fifty-year old vines, the compelling Giuseppe Cortese 2020 Rabajà is one of the best wines of the vintage. It opens with perfumed berry, fragrant purple flower and vineyard dust. It’s absolutely delicious, delivering Jolly Rancher cherry, strawberry compote and baking spice flavors before an almost salty mineral finish. It’s structured and full-bodied, with tightly knit tannins while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2026–2039. Abv: 14.5%-Kerin O’Keefe

2019 Trediberri Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata

$194.89 (1.5L) In Stock – Buy Now

96 KO / 95 JD / 95 VM / 93 JS

#48 Kerin O'Keefe Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

Showing tremendous class, focus and finesse, the luminous 2019 Rocche dell’Annunziata from Trediberri offers enticing scents of pressed rose, forest floor, crushed mint and red berry. Full of energy and well structured, the palate boasts an almost laser-like precision, delivering a core of juicy red cherry and cranberry accented with black tea and licorice notes. Firm, refined tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy support. A stunning wine. Drink 2028–2049. Abv: 14.5%-Kerin O’Keefe

2019 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco

$59.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

95 KO / 95 WE / 94 WA / 93 JS

#71 Kerin O'Keefe Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

Camphor, iris, spice and flinty aromas shape the nose. Elegant and linear, the lithe, fresh palate offers ripe cranberry, blood orange and star anise enveloped in polished tannins. It closes on hints of bitter almond and saline. Drink 2025–2029. Abv: 14%-Kerin O’Keefe

See our list of all Top 100 Italian wines of 2023 from all publications!