His 2008 Colore is my 1st Italian 99 pointer of 2013: Click for video of Bibi Graetz

Tuscany is unquestionably Italy’s best wine region of 2013. Of course, I also found lots of flavorful Barolos, a handful of superb reds from Sardinia and Sicily, and for whites Alto Adige remained hard to beat. Yet it was Tuscany that really impressed, as I tasted close to 3,000 wines in my offices in Tuscany and Hong Kong.

Thinking back over the year, it’s almost laughable that I heard some people writing off Super Tuscans as no longer relevant to the market. Take the 99-point Tua Rita Redigaffi and Petrolo Galatrona from the exceptional 2011 vintage for merlot. They found competition only in Bibi Graetz’s 2008 Colore (99 points) – yet another phenomenal Super Tuscan released in 2013.

Their 2011 Galatrona is my 2nd Italian 99 pointer of 2013: Click for video of Petrolo

Moreover, the super collectible Super Tuscans this year are going to be very exciting for any Italian wine collector. Marchesi Antinori's iconic 2010 Solaia (98 points) and 2010 Tignanello (96 points), for instance, rival the legendary 1997 vintage. The 2010 Masseto may not be the best ever, but I still gave it 98 points and it will blow you away.

Yet don’t forget the historical 2007 release of Brunello di Montalcino Riservas for Tuscany either. It's a vintage among my all-time best for Brunello along with its great 2006 twin. Think Valdicava Madonna del Piano Riserva (98 points), Casanova di Neri Cerretalto (97 points) and Castello Banfi Poggio alle Mura Riserva (97 points).

Their 2011 Redigaffi is my 3rd Italian 99 pointer of 2013: Click for video of Tua Rita

For Barolo this year, remember the 2009 vintage that produced some excellent wines, but for the real classics look to some late-release riservas. The 2006 edition of the legendary Giacomo Conterno Monfortino Riserva scored 98 points as clearly the best wine of the vintage in Piedmont. The other 98-point riserva, the 2007 Elio Grasso Runcot Riserva, is a near-perfect expression of the richness and structure of great Barolo. And of course, never miss the Gaja family’s new releases. The single-vineyard, 2010 Sorì Tildin is this year’s best. I gave it 97 points.

While wines from Sicily get better and better, it’s Sardinia that really stands out in Southern Italy this year. I’d go as far as to say the region’s best wines are reminiscent of great, traditional-styled Chateauneuf-de-Papes. Try the 2008 Turriga if you don’t believe me – it’s the best ever.