Here's what we've been drinking lately, some new acquisitions from France and Italy.

French Wines

N.V. Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé ($22.99 - Albertson's) - This is a delightful sparkling wine. All produced from Pinot Noir, it shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles, and enticing aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, red currant, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are delightfully lively, with red fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Vosges minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs and is enlivened by the CO2 on the true Brut finish. "So joyous," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Langlois Chateau Sancerre ($24.99 - Albertson's) - Many Sauvignon Blancs from America and New Zealand can be found in supermarkets, but seldom French ones. This one from the upper Loire offers a brilliant light greenish color and aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, gooseberry, melon, lime, pear blossoms, wisteria and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is simultaneously viscous and racy, with vivid yellow and green fruits that are accented by grape skins, melon rind and caliche minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and lime zest, followed by a crisp, saline finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Antoine Sunier Regnié ($26.99 - wine.com) - This Cru Beaujolais shows a purplish ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, lavender and sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously full and supple, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa powder, black tea and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed fruits, mocha, framboise and cassis liqueurs and soft charcoal, followed by a ripe moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine Bachelet-Monot Maranges 1er Cru, La Fussière ($49.99 - wine.com) - Maranges is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. This displays a deep brick red color and lovely aromas od wild strawberries, cherries, brambly currants, wild roses, purple lilac, sweet tobacco and sweet incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with red fruits that are imbued with licorice, cocoa, black tea and argilo-calcareous minerals. On the back, the wine fills lout with macerated berries, roasted pecans, fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and soft charcoal, all followed by a lingering ripe, balanced fruit acid and tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2018 Domaine de Prieuré Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru, Les Lavières ($51.99 - Esquin) - Deep brick red colored, this emits rich aromas of wild raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, sandalwood, olive and incense. The favors are deliciously thick and supple, yet refined, with red fruits that are intermixed wth licorice, dark cocoa, roasted coffee beans and Savigny rocky minerals. On the back, the wine takes a rich turn with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, mocha, framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs and charcoal stick, followed by a lingering, suave sweetish tannin finish. 19/20 points.

The Wines of Villa Antinori

The most noteworthy Tuscan wine producer is that of Marchese Piero Antinori. We attended a dinner with him, back in the 'eighties. Last February we joined a dinner at the Green Gables ("GG") Inn where Antinori wines were poured to accompany dishes by Mauro Golmarvi. We ordered the wines and have recently retasted them.

2020 Antinori Tenuta Gaudo al Tasso, Vermentino, Bolghieri ($21.99 - wine.com) - Vermentino is a white grape gown on Sardinia and in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. This one is a winner. Brilliant light lemon gold colored, it possesses perfumed aromas of green pear, white peach, Casaba melon, gooseberry and line, with scents mod pear blossoms, jasmine, lemongrass and white wildflowers. The flavors, as well, are striking, comprised of bright white and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. The resonance continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs, melon rind and lime zest, followed by a crisp, dry finely fruited finish. "I love it," says Lynn. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Antinori Tenuta Gaudo al Tasso, Bolgheri, "Bruciato" ($22.99 - wine.com) - Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah and other varieties, this offers a deep ruby color and rich, smoky aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, orange peel, dried roses, tobacco, mulberry, violets and sultry incense. The flavors are thick and mouth filling, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, espresso and minerals. On the back, the wine intensifies, with roasted berries and nuts, raspberry and cherry liqueurs and a bit if kidskin, followed by a savory, sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Villa Antinori Chianti Classico ($29.99 - wine.com) - Produced from Sangiovese, this displays a deep ruby-garnet color and classic aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, orange peel, crushed roses, tobacco leaf, oregano, black olive and smoldering incense. The flavors are more modern than traditional, with ample yet focused red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, Italian roast and hillside minerals. The back reveals roasted fruits and nuts, mocha, kidskin and dried cherries, followed by a lingering, sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico, "Gran Selezione" ($44.99 - wine.com) - Combining traditional and modern styles, this 100% Sangiovese presents a deep ruby-garnet color and perfumed aromas of strawberry, cherry, currant, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, olive, violets and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, Toblerone chocolate, black tea and Classico hillside minerals. The penetration continues on the back with pressed fruits, walnuts, nougat and cherry liqueur, followed by a lengthy, firm yet ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.