95, 96, and 97 out of 100. These are the scores a wine must achieve to earn the DoctorWine smiley face. Scores above that trigger the double smiley face (98 out of 100) and the triple smiley face (99 and 100 out of 100). Starting today, you’ll find the single smiley faces broken down by region, with each wine listed alongside its score, starting with the highest. As for the double and triple smiley faces—which represent the very best of this year’s new releases—we ask for your patience; they will all be published together on Monday, September 28.
Next are the individual ratings (up to 97/100) we gave in Apulia, Basilicata, and Calabria. You’ve probably already seen many of these posted on social media by the individual producers, who are rightly proud to share the results they achieved in The Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2027.
APULIA
(There’s also a Double Seal that we’ll reveal on September 28th)
- 97 – Gioia del Colle Primitivo Riserva 2019 Tenute Chiaromonte
- 97 – Salento Primitivo Old Vines 2022 Morella
- 96 – Puglia Gioia Rosa 2025 Terrecarsiche
- 96 – Salento Rosso Negroamaro Patriglione 2021 Cosimo Taurino
- 96 – Salento Rosso Spano 2023 Michele Calò e Figli
- 96 – Valle d’Itria Silos 2024 Lasorte Cuadra
- 95 – Gioia del Colle Primitivo Polvanera 17 Vigneto Montevella 2023 Polvanera
- 95 – Gioia del Colle Primitivo Senatore 2023 Coppi Casa Vinicola
- 95 – Salento Bianco Chardonnay TeresaManara 29 agosto 2025 Cantele
- 95 – Salento Bianco Donna Augusta 2023 Vespa Vignaioli per Passione
- 95 – Salento Rosato Furia di Calafuria 2025 Tormaresca
- 95 – Salento Graticciaia Red 2021 Vallone
- 95 – Salento Rosso Nero 2023 Conti Zecca
- 95 – Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva Pezzo Morgana 2023, Masseria Li Veli
- 96 – Aglianico del Vulture Superiore La Firma 2021 Cantine del Notaio
- 96 – Aglianico del Vulture Titolo Classico 2024 Elena Fucci
- 95 – Aglianico del Vulture Daginestra 2022 Grifalco
- 95 – Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Serpara 2020 Cantine Re Manfredi
(There’s also a Double Seal that we’ll reveal on September 28th)
- 96 – Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 2023 Vigneti Vumbaca
- 95 – Cirò Rosso Classico Riserva Dalla Terra 2019 Tenuta del Conte
- 95 – Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva Duca di San Felice 2023 Librandi
And that’s not all: below are the links to pre-order your copy of The Essential Guide to Italian Wine 2027 and to register for the launch in Milan and Rome:
