They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But I saw the price on that sparkling BVLGARI ring she pointed out the other day, and well $19k seems very unfriendly to me.

BUT THEN, as if Bacchus himself was watching out for my wallet, a downright sultry, 95 point Tuscan beauty lands on our tasting table. For less than $30?! But that’s not even the best part.

The name… BULGARI?! A name long associated with luxury jewelry - on a wine bottle?

Turns out Paolo and Giovanni Bulgari set out to make wine after selling control of their company to LVMH.

A Robb Report feature dishes out the full scoop: “From diamonds to grapes, Giovanni Bulgari now lives his winemaking dream amidst Tuscany’s magnificent landscapes” continuing that “the urban lifestyle doesn’t resonate well with Giovanni Bulgari. The wine connoisseur worked for eight years at Italian luxury jewelry house Bvlgari before calling it quits in 2004. He then teamed up with his father, Paolo, to venture into the age-old art of winemaking. Armed with invaluable skills he gained from his previous tenure, he and his father resurrected an abandoned vineyard in Tuscany, Italy, to materialize their winemaking dream.”

“Brilliant!” I thought, as I scored a case and took it home to proudly give to my wife. I excitedly pointed out the name on the label. This rendered her speechless. As in, she did not speak to me the remainder of the night. Very strange…

Maybe I should have told her that James Suckling astutely pegged this wine “The Tuscan Ausone” - after the cult Right Bank Bordeaux.

Anyhow, the wine. When she tastes it, she’ll no doubt come around. It’s understandably outstanding, as you can imagine no expense is spared here at the breathtaking winery and vineyards to put the family name on it.

Just one look and you can’t help but see a huge ruby stone glimmering within this blend of 93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet. Perfumed with dark, brooding blackberry, blackcurrant, smoky spice, and luxury leather. Once sipped, a seamless silkiness in the texture resonates, carrying that “big fruity ripeness” as Wine Advocate noted, along powdery tannins with a mulberry jam note. Loads of ripe black and blue fruit merge with cocoa, and a bit of peppery, spice. No doubt, this is a fairly modern, stylish approach. The finish extends effortlessly like the glow you see when you land the perfect gift for a loved one. Any lavish Italian fare would benefit from a partnership at the dinner table.

The 2015 Ausone goes for over $1,000 a bottle. How we landed this 95 point GEM at 40% OFF still puzzles us.

ACT FAST before the reputation of these wines,and their prices catch up with their fashion empire!

95 Points – James Suckling

“Love the aromas of licorice, lavender and rosemary flowers. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh and focused finish. Shows beautiful tannin management and finesse. Drink in 2020.”

93 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2015 Argirio shows a pretty saturated color and presents big fruity ripeness. In fact, the folks at Podernuovo a Palazzone waited to harvest in order to get that extra maturity and eliminate any green notes from the grapes. This Tuscan red shows some light chalky, mineral notes of limestone beyond blackberry and backcurrant. It spends eight to 12 months in barrique. Oak spice and smoke aromas do emerge with clarity. There is a bit of toasted chestnut and dry hay on the close. Drink 2019-2030.”