Rivera

VINTAGE 2024

James Suckling  – 90

Aromas of sliced apples, lemons and wet stones follow through to a medium-bodied, clean and refreshing palate. Lightly minerally. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Almond blossom, chopped apples, lemons and chalk on the nose. Crisp and fresh, with medium body and a lightly salty undertone. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2023

Vinous – 90
The 2023 Chardonnay Preludio N°1 is delicate and understated, showing hints of green melon, mint and cardamom. It opens with a pretty inner sweetness, soft textures, ripe orchard fruits and pretty inner florals. The 2023 tapers off fresh, saline and herbal, with nuances of candied lemon.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Notes of white nectarines, lemon peel and orchid blossom. Fresh and crisp with medium body and clean, vivid acidity. Bright and agile. Drink now.

Wine Spectator – 87
This light-bodied white offers juicy melon and apple fruit, with a stony underpinning and floral and spice accents. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 30 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2024

James Suckling  – 90
This fruity rosé has aromas of currants, red cherries and strawberries. It’s juicy, ripe and medium-bodied with a playful finish. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2023

Wine Spectator – 85
Balanced and easy-drinking, with a bright tang of blood orange peel and pomegranate seed enlivening notes of wild cherry and rosemary. Drink now. 8,000 cases made, 232 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 89
Poached plums, mocha and baked strawberries on the nose. Fruity, ripe and easygoing, with medium to full body and lightly sticky tannins. Drink now. Screw cap.

Wine Spectator – 88
Fresh and balanced, this medium-bodied red offers blackberry, sassafras and milled pepper notes framed by crisp tannins. Drink now. 8,000 cases made, 232 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 90
Sweet spices, dark earth, plums and blackberries on the nose follow through to a juicy palate full of crushed blueberries and black cherries. Bright and delicious with good energy from the fruit. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast – 89
Big Red gum aromas of spicy cinnamon expand into wild strawberries, soil and balsamic vinegar on the nose of this wine. The palate offers the sweet burst of freeze-dried strawberries and amps up the heat of cinnamon with notes of chili peppers. Lithe tannins and restrained acid let the fruit do the talking.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Blueberries, violets and dried coriander on the nose of this juicy red. It’s medium-bodied with pulpy tannins and a light herbal undertone. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 91
Mushrooms, bay leaves and black cherries on the nose with a touch of cracked pepper. Sleek and savory, medium-bodied, with juicy dark fruit framed by fine tannins. Drink or hold.

VINTAGE 2019

James Suckling – 90
Racy sour cherries, raspberry and fresh violet jump out from the glass. Vibrant on the medium-bodied palate teeming with bright acidity and fresh, firm tannins. Lots of blue fruit in the finish. Screw cap. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast – 90
Violets and Bing cherries on the nose of this wine mingle with anise seed, pepper and soil. Chalky tannins emphasize more soil notes on the palate. It stays bright with fresh cherries and rich with vanilla and milk chocolate on the finish.

VINTAGE 2018

Wine Enthusiast – 90 (Best Buy)
This unokaed Nero di Troia stitches together aromas of black raspberry, crushed black pepper, menthol and violet. It’s smooth and juicy on the medium-bodied palate, with cohesion between the tangy berry fruit and earthy spice tones. There’s some tannic grit to the finish, but nothing a protein couldn’t temper. — Alexander Peartree

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 91
Dried herbs, sliced chiles and ripe dark cherries on the nose of this juicy red. It’s medium- to full-bodied with medium-chewy tannins and a tasty finish. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2019

Vinous – 91
Dark, rich and oak-inflected, the 2019 Rosso Riserva Il Falcone slowly opens with a dusting of cacao and brown spice, giving way to crushed violets and dried black cherries. This is velvety in texture, showing admirable weight and potency, with masses of ripe red berry fruits that saturate under an air of rosy inner florals. Chalky mineral tones linger through the dramatically long and slightly chewy finale as a pleasantly bitter tinge lingers on. I’d prefer less wood on the nose, but I can’t argue with the balance here. Il Falcone is a blend of 70% Nero di Troia and 30% Montepulciano.

Wine Advocate – 92
This is one of the banner wines of Puglia, recognized far and wide as one of the bottles in the so-called Puglia Wine Renaissance that sparked about two decades ago. The Rivera 2019 Castel del Monte Riserva Il Falcone is 70% Nero di Troia and 30% Montepulciano with fruit selected from across various estate vineyards, such as the Tenuta Rivera, Torre di Bocca, Coppa and Tafuri plots, with a mix of loose calcareous and tuffaceous soils. Fermented in stainless steel and matured in equal parts botti and barrique, this wine offers a lighter and more approachable style compared to the super ripe and jammy wines made further south in the Salento. This is the Castel del Monte area in the northern Murge plateau, home to the Nero di Troia grape; it is considered one of the most prestigious wine areas in the region. This wine is many times more balanced and fresh with tart cherry and plum over a moderate to full mouthfeel. The alcohol content on this production of 110,000 bottles is a contained 13.5%. Now celebrating 40 harvests, this wine points in a positive direction if we are to consider the future of Puglia’s wines.

VINTAGE 2018

James Suckling – 91
Pomegranate, tea leaf, chocolate and wet earth on the nose. Juicy, sleek and nicely mellowed, with medium body and a creamy, tasty finish. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator – 90
An aromatic red, with notes of marjoram, anise, graphite, iron and clove winding through crushed raspberry and cherry fruit flavors. Framed by light, sinewy tannins and lively acidity, this is fresh and chewy and should pair nicely with food. Try some salumi. Uva di Troia and Montepulciano. Drink now through 2028. 11,000 cases made, 49 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2017

Wine Enthusiast – 90
The nose of this wine gives off potting soil and pencil shavings, with quieter aromas of cherries, strawberries and a brief note of violets.The palate gives more room to the berries and flower petals, held up by structured tannins and plenty of acid and heat.

Wine Spectator – 90
Delivers a beam of cherry reduction accented by lavish hints of licorice and vanilla, all wrapped around a core of grippy tannins. This firm, fresh red is medium-bodied overall, showing a savory side toward the finish, with notes of tobacco, coffee and mineral. Uva di Troia and Montepulciano. Best after 2025. 11,000 cases made, 49 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2016

James Suckling – 92
Spicy and nicely gamy plums and sweet currants with dark earth, licorice and black peppercorns to the nose. Juicy and tightly wound with crunchy berries and a mineral texture to the tannins. Fresh and layered in the finish. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator – 91
An elegant red, with flavors of plum sauce and cherry reduction framed by light, taut tannins and bright acidity. Pure and fragrant, with aromas of violet, licorice drop, iron and sandalwood wafting through the finish. Uva di Troia and Montepulciano. Drink now through 2028. 5,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2024

James Suckling – 90
Sliced pears, green apples and lemons on the nose of this crisp white. It’s medium-bodied, clean and fruity. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2023

Vinous – 90
Crushed raspberries, dusty rose and sweet violet flowers waft up from the 2023 Sauvignon Terre al Monte. This is round and soft-textured with juicy acidity elevating ripe red berry fruits. A tinge of sour cranberry emerges toward the mineral and mouthwatering close.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Passion fruit, guava and melon on the nose. Juicy, fruity and flavorful, with medium body and a soft finish. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 90
This is a soft and fruity red with strawberries, rhubarb and chocolate orange on the nose. Medium-bodied and crisp with fine tannins and juicy berry fruit to close. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 90
Racy blueberries, white pepper, violet and brambly raspberries t the nose. Fresh and crunchy with bright acidity cutting through the medium-bodies palate with firm tannins. Vibrant and juicy finish. Screw cap. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 89
This is a juicy and silky red showing fresh cherry, rose hip, blood orange and anise aromas. Medium-bodied, soft and easygoing. Drink now.

Wine Spectator – 86
An easy-drinking, medium-bodied red, with candied cherry, floral and chopped rosemary notes. Drink now. 4,000 cases made.

VINTAGE 2023

James Suckling – 91
This full-bodied red has aromas of chocolate, orange peel, star anise and dried fruit. It’s fleshy and flavorful with broad, ripe tannins. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 90
Dark fruit like black cherries and grilled plums, with mocha, vanilla and some tobacco leaves. It’s ripe and fleshy, full-bodied, with tasty smoke and spice elements while remaining fresh and balanced. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 91
Some gamy blackberries, chocolate and dark spices to the nose with a hint of black earth. Rich and flavorful with succulent cherry fruit to the center palate. Tight, bright and pretty long with fine-grained tannins. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast – 90
A spicy, red fruit nose on this wine almost provokes a sneeze from the blend of white and black pepper, along with metallic top soil and tar aromas. Strawberries and raspberries take over on the palate, with more soil and piquant heat that works well with the softening tannins.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 91
This spicy, full-bodied red has aromas of baked plums, oranges, licorice and star anise. It’s fleshy and broad but nicely balanced, with zesty undertones. Drink now or hold.

VINTAGE 2017

James Suckling – 91
Roasted herbs, cedar, poached plums and hot chocolate on the nose. It’s fleshy and flavorful, full-bodied, with firm, but mellowing and berry-soaked tannins and a rich and fruity finish. Drink or hold.

VINTAGE 2016

James Suckling – 91
Minty blackberries with some chocolate to the nose. Juicy and pretty fluid on the palate with very chewy tannins giving it a tight grip before a medium-long finish. Tannic now, better from 2024.

Wine Enthusiast – 90
Grilled meat and leather join bricks and crushed rocks for a mostly savory nose that then surprises with emerging aromas of dark berries and chili peppers. More on the palate bring a sweetness that’s offset by bitter orange and tannins that are still relentless even at this age.

Wine Spectator – 90 (10 Gorgeous Italian Wines)
Fresh and compact, this integrated red marries chewy tannins with crushed black raspberry, tea leaves, anise and subtle hints of iron and dried oregano. Finely meshed and with a sculpted finish, this opens nicely in the glass. Drink now through 2028. 1,250 cases made, 1,250 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2018

James Suckling – 91
This bold and toasty red has aromas of cedar, walnuts, dried coconut and cherry jam. It’s full-bodied with dusty, woody tannins. Ambitious. Try from 2027

Vinous – 93
The 2018 Nero di Troia Riserva Puer Apuliae blossoms in the glass with sweet spice, violet pastille, chalk dust and blackberries. This is seamless and graceful, with cool-toned wild berry fruits and tactile mineral tones adding lovely form. The 2018 finishes with impressive length as fine tannins frame nuances of lavender, sour citrus and tart black cherries. Aged for 14 months in new French tonneaux and barriques, the Puer Apuliae possesses a lovely integration of oak.

Wine Advocate – 92
Made with 100% Nero di Troia, this wine is named after Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (1194–1250), otherwise known as the “Son of Apulia.” The Rivera 2018 Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva Puer Apuliae pays homage to the famous octagonal fortress Castel del Monte (also featured on Italy’s one cent euro coin) located nearby and built by the emperor. Popular legend ties this native grape to ancient Troia, a town near Foggia, allegedly founded by the Greek hero Diomedes after the Trojan War. This is a balanced and pretty wine with dark currant, blueberry and toasted spice. The aromas are not too intense, and the wine (matured in both barrique and tonneaux) offers a silky, moderate to full mouthfeel. Production is 12,500 heavy glass bottles.

VINTAGE 2017

James Suckling – 92
Mulberries, figs, cinnamon stick, cedar and dried herbs on the nose. Savory, chewy and spicy, full-bodied, with excellent flavor concentration. Firm, dusty tannins. Better after 2024.

Wine Spectator – 89
A creamy red, with light, supple tannins layered with flavors of baked black cherry, lavender, mocha and spices. Clean-cut finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

VINTAGE 2016

James Suckling – 93
Freshly turned dark earth and splash of peppercorn and anise spices to the dark cherries and game. Savory and very fine-grained on the palate with juicy plums and tightly wound, silky tannins and a long, bright finish. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast – 91
A spice-forward, macerated-berry blend on the nose of this wine is countered with graphite and a final hint of capsicum. The palate is more strawberries, raspberries and cherries, with black and fresh peppercorns. Tannins cling and acid sings.

VINTAGE 2015

Wine Enthusiast – 92
Lifted aromas of menthol, clove, Sichuan peppercorn and violet drive the nose of this varietal wine. It’s plump and polished on the medium-bodied palate, built by firm tannins and pulsing acidity. Dark cherry and plenty of earthy spices lend breadth and depth to it all.

VINTAGE 2023

Vinous – 91
The 2023 Fiano Scariazzo blossoms with white flowers, peaches, sweet spice and hints of raw almond. It is savory and deeply textural with a stern mineral core and crisp orchard fruits. Tantalizing acidity adds lift and grace through the finish as the 2023 leaves a resonance of ripe yellow apple and stone.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 89
Pineapple and chamomile aromas here, as well as lemon curd. Nice, creamy yellow fruit. It’s medium-bodied with a touch of bitterness on the bone-dry finish. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2023

James Suckling – 90
This creamy white has aromas of brioche, baked apples and salted butter. It’s full-bodied with buttery undertones while remaining fresh. Drink now

Vinous – 91
Vanillin spice and white flowers give way to ripe peaches and mint as the 2023 Chardonnay Lama dei Corvi evolves in the glass. Silken textures and polished white pit fruits sweep across the palate, enhanced by tinges of lemon zest and spice. An air of almond custard lingers as the 2023 maintains remarkable freshness, leaving a gentle tug of tannin and tactile mineral tones to resonate.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Subtle vanilla notes to the cream, hazelnut and baked-apple aromas. Full-bodied, chalky in texture and with delicious creaminess. Drink now.