Tre Bicchieri is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine awards, given by the renowned Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso. The term translates to “three glasses,” signifying wines that stand out for their exceptional quality. Each year, Gambero Rosso also hosts a tasting tour featuring the award-winning wines, and the San Francisco event took place on February 27, 2025, at Fort Mason. It’s a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to explore top-tier Italian wines and engage with winemakers, distributors, and brand representatives.

My Tasting Strategy

With hundreds of wines available, tasting everything is impossible, so I always attend with a focused plan. This year, I sought out producers that, in my experience, consistently deliver high-quality wines. I approached the tasting relatively blind—meaning I knew the producer but hadn’t researched the wine’s ratings, price, or blend beforehand.

I also narrowed my focus to Italy’s powerhouse appellations—the 3 B’s (Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello)—along with Chianti, because, well, how could I not?

The Wines

Below is a curated selection of the wines I tasted, along with their vintage, producer, critic ratings, price, and grape composition.

Vintage	Producer & Wine	Critic Rating	Price (USD)	Blend
2022	Il Sasso Carmignano, Mauro Vannucci	JS 92	$35	80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
2019	Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarelli, Cortonesi	JS 91	$35	100% Sangiovese
2019	Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella, Cortonesi	N/A	$69	100% Sangiovese
2016	Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella Riserva, Cortonesi	N/A	$69	100% Sangiovese
2021	Nizza Le Court Riserva, Michele Chiarlo	WE 94	$50	100% Barbera
2020	Barolo Cerequio, Michele Chiarlo	WE 94	$124	100% Nebbiolo
2019	Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum	RP 93	$52	65% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
2020	Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva	WS 94	$40	100% Sangiovese
2018	Tenuta di Arceno Valadorna	RP 95	$120	100% Merlot
2020	Renato Ratti Barolo Serradenari	N/A	$180	100% Nebbiolo
2020	Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco	JD 93	$75	100% Nebbiolo
2022	Renato Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo	N/A	$27	100% Nebbiolo
2020	Giovanni Sordo Barolo Perno	WE 90	$65	100% Nebbiolo
2020	Giovanni Sordo Barolo	N/A	$30	100% Nebbiolo
2020	Poliziano Nobile di Montepulciano Le Caggiole	RV 95	$70	100% Sangiovese
2021	Poliziano Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone	D 93	$80	100% Sangiovese
2021	Marchesi Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Terraelectae V. Montesodi Riserva	D 95	$45	100% Sangiovese
2021	Marchesi Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozzano V. V Riserva	JS 92	$36	90% Sangiovese, 10% other red varieties
2022	Marchesi Frescobaldi Chianti Classico Tenuta Perano	N/A	$23	100% Sangiovese
2021	Carlo Giacosa Barbaresco Asili	JS 95	$95	100% Nebbiolo
2021	Carlo Giacosa Barbaresco Montefico	JS 93	$60	100% Nebbiolo
2021	Carlo Giacosa Barbaresco	RV 92	$37	100% Nebbiolo

Key Takeaways

I intentionally omitted any wines that I wouldn’t personally buy. Every wine on this list was good, very good, or outright outstanding. What I love most is the wide range of price points—proof that great wineries can produce quality wines at multiple levels through strong viticulture and winemaking practices.

Of course, these wines only represent a small selection of what was available at the event. Italy’s wine scene is vast, spanning hundreds of regions, grape varieties, and microclimates, with incredibly talented winemakers. I only wish I had more time!

Final Thoughts

If any of these wines catch your interest, I highly encourage you to seek them out. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting to explore Italian wines, you won’t be disappointed.

Let me know in the comments—have you tried any of these wines? Which Italian producers consistently impress you?

Salute! 🍷