The 2017 Assisi Rosso is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that ages in oak for just a few brief months. This entry-level Umbrian blend would pair with wood-oven pizza or toasted bruschetta with thin slices of lard or ham. This wine is soft, accessible and easy to drink from start to finish. An ample 80,000 bottles were made.

Sportoletti's 2013 Assisi Rosso represents an easy blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and sees brief aging in wood. It opens to deep concentration and offers immediate aromas of red cherry, spice and wet earth. It is well suited for a no-brainer food pairing situation, such as pizza or pasta.

The 2011 Assisi Rosso (50-30-20 Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) comes from 18-year-old vines planted at 400 meters above sea level. There’s a touch of extra freshness here and acidity that likely comes from the higher elevation. This is Sportoletti’s top selling wine offers good value and is seen frequently on the wine lists of local taverns and osterie in the Spello, Perugia and Assisi area of Umbria. Drink: 2013-2015. Consulting winemaker Riccardo Cotarella helped set the foundations of this winery in the Spello area of the Assisi hills. Importer: Massanois Imports, www.massanois.com

The estate's Assisi Rosso is often one of Italy's top values, as it is again in 2009. Layers of dark red fruit, sweet herbs, licorice and new leather come together in this juicy, textured wine. A juicy, enticing red, the Assisi Rosso should continue to drink well for a handful of years. The blend is 60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. Importer: Massanois Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 470-6769

Sportoletti’s Assisi Rosso is one of the great values in Italian wine, and the 2008 is another in a long line of gorgeous wines. Ripe red cherries, tobacco, sweet herbs and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this juicy, plump offering. The 2008 is a touch more lithe than some previous vintages but it is nevertheless outstanding for its overall balance and sense of harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. It’s nice to see Sportoletti back in the US market. These new releases are all highly recommended. Even better, they won’t break the bank. Importer: Massanois Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 470-6769