Casa Piena is another small estate that is continuing to step up quality. The property is owned by Carmen Policy, while Thomas Rivers-Brown makes the wines. Tasted from barrel, Casa Piena’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon offers plenty of potential in a layered, opulent style. The wines off this site have always showed quite a bit of character and personality, which is remarkable considering that in 2013 the vines were just ten years old.

— Antonio Galloni