The Le Ragose 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is sweet and generous, showing more character from the hot and dry vintage than the grape per se. You can easily identify this as Cabernet Sauvignon, but the aromas veer toward sweet blackberry or candied cherry more than any green sensations. Fruit comes from 30-year-old vines. That luscious primary fruit is framed by lighter tones of spice and crushed mineral or limestone. This is an open-knit and accessible red to pair with an oven-fresh lasagna with melted cheese. Production in this vintage was limited to 5,400 bottles.

The Garda Cabernet Sauvignon is simply beautiful in 2005. Dark plums, wild cherries, grilled herbs, violets and minerals are some of the nuances that emerge from the glass. The firm Cabernet tannins are beautifully balanced by the generous fruit. To be sure, this remains a fairly traditional, mid-weight style, but all of the elements come together with unusual harmony and finesse. This is a fabulous effort from Le Ragose. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017. Importer: Frederick Wildman and Sons Ltd, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

The 2004 Garda Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful Veronese red bursting with ripe dark fruit, graphite, sweet herbs and new leather. The wine reveals gorgeous inner sweetness and a plump, juicy personality with no hard edges or elements of greenness. This is a beautiful wine from an important vintage in Veneto, and it is highly recommended, especially for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. Le Ragose is an excellent source for traditionally-made Valpolicellas and Amarones that can be had for very fair prices. Importer: Frederick Wildman and Sons Ltd, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700