2018 I Greppi Greppicante Bolgheri Rosso 750 ml

Bolgheri produces Italy’s most lush, luxurious Bordeaux-style red wines. Wine Spectator called it “Tuscany’s Napa”—and like its California counterpart, you’re generally going to pay top dollar for the finest bottles.

Not so for I Greppi’s 93-point Greppicante, which flaunts Bolgheri’s coveted depth and balletic power. Vinous’s Antonio Galloni has long been a fan of the wine, calling past vintages “impeccable” and praising their “outstanding balance and tons of style.” 

We included the 2017 Greppicante in our Discovery Club, and the response was so overwhelmingly positive that we knew we had to lock down enough to offer it for all our members. Our timing couldn’t have been better—the 2018 is one of the best vintages in recent memory, riding a warm year to land an even more seductive, powerful bottle.

This wine has everything that makes us love this little slice of the Etruscan coast: Bold, dark fruit on the nose and palate from the Merlot and Cabernet Franc that dominate the blend; beautifully spiced aromatics from aging a year in French oak; and a juicy finish that’s characteristically Bolgheri.

The tiny, 14-hectare estate sits near the Greppi Cupi lakes that give the estate its name. Those bodies of water provide thermal moderation, allowing for even ripening of the Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the gravel, sandstone, and clay/limestone soils. The result is an ideal place to cultivate these Bordeaux varieties.

The wine was wide awake just half an hour after we opened it, making it a perfect wine for any night where you want to drink classier than you spend. It’s utterly delicious—and comes at a price that belies its quality.