Ciacci Piccolomini AteoIf Brunello is the king of Montalcino, Ateo is the bottle you open when you want the same pedigree with a little more ease and a lot more fun. Ciacci Piccolomini dAragona hardly needs an introduction. Over the last few decades, this historic estate has quietly become one of the reference point producers in Montalcino, crafting Brunellos that combine polish with the kind of warmth and generosity that make them hard not to love at the table. Ateo is

Red berry fruit stays taut and crunchy

weeknight pasta

and white peach

it handles them all with cheerful ease

Bordeaux keeps receipts

these two bottles show just how versatile great California Chardonnay can be

both unmistakably Mer Soleil

underrated

sandy tannins

Its fresh red berry with a hint of citrus flavors make it the perfect refresher anytime

ripe forest berries

inward Faconnières that favors texture