The 2015 Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese Carlino is a dry table wine made with the overly exuberant Bonarda grape that is native to parts of Central Italy. The variety reveals a dark garnet color followed by direct and powerful aromas of raw cherry and primary fruit. This is a tight and slightly nervous red wine with the bright acidity for pairing with butter or cream-rich dishes.

The 2009 Bonarda Carlino is a flat-out great bottle of wine. Clean, mineral notes frame an exuberant core of dark jammy fruit, spices, flowers and earthiness, all of which come together beautifully in this exquisite, harmonious red. The Carlino is 100% Croatina aged in steel. Readers looking for something new to try should check out this delicious offering from one of northern Italy’s under the radar producers. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2012. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The 2008 Bonarda Carlino is a deep, inky-colored wine, bursting with violets, jammy blueberries and spices. This generous, full-bodied Bonarda isn’t quite as successful as some prior vintages, but it is still remarkable juice. The firm, pure tannins will help the wine stand up to heartier fare. This unoaked red is big, dark, rich and fantastic. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011. Castello di Luzzano is one of Italy’s most overlooked wineries. I am rarely disappointed with the wines I taste from this jewel of an estate. The property is located on the border of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy, and works mostly with indigenous grapes that will be familiar only to the most passionate lovers of Italian wines, but the wines are well worth discovering. The Bonardas are particularly of note. They are sublime wines to pair with mortadella, salami and other cold cuts. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The 2007 Bonarda Pavese Carlino is a selection made from the estate’s best Bonarda fruit. It offers terrific harmony and balance in its dark fruit, spices, chocolate and minerals, with a soft-textured, totally engaging personality. Quite honestly, I was blown away by this wine’s richness, complexity and balance. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. Castello di Luzzano makes a number of wines that are somewhat esoteric, but that offer an extraordinary range of complexity for the money. The estate lies on a hill that borders the regions of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200