Enrico Santini Bolgheri Montepergoli 2001 ($59.95) $29 super special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2001 Bolgheri Rosso Montepergoli, just as in the 2000 vintage, is one of the best wines of the entire appellation. Very deep and brilliant in color, its amply-spiced nose and powerfully expansive aromas of smoky creme de cassis and plums is followed by rich, layered flavors of perfectly ripe berry fruit, tar, river gravel, and cedar, and is lush, dense, and very long. The appearance of this excellent new producer in Bolgheri last year was of the most pleasant surprises of the entire Tuscan coast, and this year’s wines are even better. Drink: 2005-2020.”
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2003 ($129.95) $59 super special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The Le Vigne shows a very typical nose of spices and flowers along with beautifully delineated dark red fruit and mineral flavors, with excellent length. The tannins are in balance here, adding to the overall sense of harmony this wine presents. No doubt the ability to blend wines from different parcels was a huge advantage in this vintage. In 2003 our ripest fruit came from the Ceretta vineyard (in Serralunga) and we used less of that wine than normal in order to preserve as much freshness as possible, says Sandrone. (91-94), 11/05 I have been following Luciano Sandrone’s 2003 Barolos for the last two years and the wines have developed very positively over that time. I have to say I’m pleased with the way our 2003s are evolving. says Sandrone. Fortunately we had a little bit of rain towards the end of the growing season. The rain came too late to help the Dolcettos and Barberas, but we waited until early October to pick the Nebbiolos and luckily they had some time to recuperate. “
Sandrone Barolo Cannubi 2003 ($129.95) $59 super special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Sandrone’s 2003 Barolo Cannubi Boschis reveals smoke, tar, licorice and dark plums with superb balance and a vibrant, engaging personality. Made in a sweeter, richer style than Le Vigne, its notable depth and well-integrated tannins make it one of the vintage’s successes. I have a slight preference for Le Vigne over Cannubi Boschis today but both wines are among the finest in this vintage.”
Antinori Tignanello 2010 ($119.95) $77 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Antinori’s 2010 Tignanello is stunning, as it has been since I started tasting the component wines in 2011. Firm yet sweet, silky tannins form the backbone for this gorgeous, vivid wine. Dark red cherries, plums, cloves, mint and sage inform a Tignanello that impresses for its delineation, nuance and power. Clean, saline notes support the mineral-drenched finish. The 2010 isn’t huge, but rather is a vertical wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. I can’t remember a Tignanello with this much crystalline tension and pure energy. Simply put, the 2010 Tignanello is a magnificent, towering wine from Antinori.”
Arceno Il Fauno Di Arcanum Toscana 2008 ($29.95) $20.90 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot, the 2008 Il Fauno di Arcanum opens with an inky dark color and perfectly ripe aromas of plump cherry and blackberry. Beyond the enticing fruit aromas is a long list of spice and tobacco-related characteristics. This is a thickly layered and opulent Tuscan blend that is enhanced by territory-driven aromas of grilled herb and rosemary oil. The best part for me, however, is the soft richness this wine delivers in the mouth. Anticipated maturity 2014-2027. “
Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 ($69.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine laced with red berries, flowers and subtle hints of earthiness. Soft and supple throughout, the Brunello shows lovely juiciness in its fruit and a delicate, understated personality. The 2006 represents yet another step in the more elegant, refined direction the estate has taken in recent years. The 2006 Brunello was aged in equal parts cask and French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.”
Biondi Santi Sassoalloro 2008 ($39.95) $26 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Needs aeration to reveal the rich blackberry and black cherry flavors locked within this muscular red, which is firm and bright, with a mineral finish. Be patient. Best from 2014 through 2024.”
Brancaia Toscana Rosso Tre 2008 ($19.95) $14 special, 31 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2008 Tre is an attractive mid-weight red laced with dried cherries, dried flowers and spices. As is to be expected, the 2008 doesn’t have the plumpness and juiciness of the 2007, but it nevertheless delivers excellent balance in an approachable, mid-weight style. This looks to be an early drinking wine from Brancaia. Tre is 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate’s three wineries, all in Tuscany”
Camigliano Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($49.95) $33 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a big, fleshy wine endowed with considerable richness and volume. Layers of dark red fruit, crushed flowers, licorice and tobacco are woven together beautifully in this expressive, generous Brunello. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.”
Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 ($49.95) $33.50 special, 3+ cases available
James Suckling 93 points “Love the flowers, ripe berries and minerals on the nose here. Light dried fruits too. Dried porcini! Full bodied, round and fruity, with a decadent and fruity finish. Try in 2013.”
Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($39.95) $27 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino wraps around the palate with layers of rich, seductive fruit. There is plenty of expressiveness in the glass, even if the wine loses some of its persistence on the mid-palate and finish. This is a tasty, approachable Brunello that should drink well right out of the gate. The 2007 spent three years in Slavonian and French oak casks. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”
Casanova Di Neri Brunello Cerretalto 2004 ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 98 points “Very powerful and rich, with blackberry, licorice and light toasty oak. This has pure fruit. Turns exotic and decadent. Full bodied, with dense, powerful tannins, but velvety and beautiful. Big and powerful. Layered and gorgeous. Best from 2011 through 2018.”
Casanova Di Neri Brunello Cerretalto 2006 ($249.95) $199 special, 3+ cases available
James Suckling 99 points “Aromas of ripe strawberries, sandalwood, and flowers follow though to a full body, with soft tannins and a fruity finish. This is so long and gorgeous, with intense fruit and a defined and beautiful structure. Amazing fruit at the finish. Gorgeous now, but will age beautifully. The palate builds and show such depth. So wonderful now, but better in 2015.”
Casanova Neri Brunello Di Montalcino 2008 ($49.95) $33 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino sweeps across the palate with superb richness and depth. Dark cherries, plums, spices, tobacco and menthol blossom as the wine opens up in the glass. A decidedly large-scaled, dramatic wine for the year, the 2008 impresses for its pure resonance and rich, enveloping finish. This is one of the most rewarding 2008s to drink upon release, but it should also age well for a number of years.”
Castellare I Sodi Di San Niccolo 2007 ($79.95) $59 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2007 I Sodi di San Niccolo saturates the palate with masses of rich, dark fruit. The 2007 is very much a product of the year. Warm, open and resonant, the 2007 is one of the bigger wines made at Castellare over the last three decades. There is an immediacy that is quite appealing, but the wine’s bombastic personality needs some time to settle down. Although delicious today, the 2007 should also age quite well based on its sheer opulence. It is best cellared for at least a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.”
Castello Dei Rampolla Vigna D’Alceo 2008 ($219.95) $133 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “Love this. Fabulous aromas of currants and blackberries. Hints of licorice, Indian spices and dried violets. Full-bodied, ultra-fine tannins and amazing fruit, yet so vibrant, racy and balanced. The structure of Margaux with the style of Rampolla. Best ever. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. From organically grown grapes.”
Castello Di Ama Chianti Riserva 2008 ($41.95) $28 special, 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good medium-deep red. Black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and menthol aromas are lifted by a floral element that carries through on the palate. Flavors of dark cherry, licorice and underbrush are complicated by a tarry quality. Finishes suave and smooth, with harmonious tannins and good subtle, spicy length. I was impressed by the purity of the sangiovese fruit, given the fact that the wine also includes cabernet franc and merlot components; chalk up another winner to the dynamic duo of Lorenza Sebaste and Marco Pallanti.”
Castello Di Bossi Corbaia 2008 ($59.95) $45 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Corbaia is striking in this vintage. A delicate, graceful bouquet gives the impression of femininity, until layers of fruit hit the palate with relentless energy and focus. The 2008 impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. The tannins are still huge at this stage, but I sense that as they melt away the wine’s true pedigree will begin to emerge. This is a great, great showing from Castello di Bossi. Corbaia is 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”
Castello Di Bossi Girolamo 2007 ($59.95) $39 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Merlot Girolamo is a seamless beauty graced with exquisite finesse in its dark fruit. Despite its richness, there is plenty of underlying structure to support the fruit. Mocha, spices and licorice wrap around the dark, opulent finish. The Girolamo is quite explosive at this stage, but it will be even better in another few years. Castello di Bossi gave the Girolamo 24 months in new French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.”
Cerbaiona Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 ($129.95) $89 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino impresses for its elegance, balance and class. Silky, finessed tannins frame dark cherries, flowers, minerals, menthol, tobacco and spices. The 2005 doesn’t have the kaleidoscopic, multi-dimensional personality of the finest Brunellos here, but it reveals outstanding length and plenty of style, albeit in a smaller-scaled, lithe expression of this site. Ideally, readers should open the wine several hours prior to serving. It is a wonderful effort in this vintage. 2010-2020.”
Cerbaiona Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($199.95) $159 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most exciting wines of the vintage. An exotic melange of freshly cut flowers, dark cherries and plums conquers all of the senses. Intense saline notes and the wine’s underlying minerality are buried under the massive fruit, but over time they emerge. Hints of graphite, spices, crushed rocks and sweet, juicy dark cherries wrap around the huge finish. This is a breathtaking effort from Diego and Nora Molinari, and more than a worthy followup to the epic 2006. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.”
Col D’Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($47.95) $33 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is very beautiful in this vintage. Ripe, silky tannins frame expressive red cherries, flowers, licorice and tobacco. Sweet floral notes add lift on the delicate finish. Col d’Orcia’s 2007 is pure elegance and finesse from start to finish. The wine spent 36 months in oak, all of which it has handled with grace. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037.”
Col D’Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino 2008 ($49.95) $33 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Sweet, rich, lush and layered, yet also remarkably light on its feet, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles from start to finish. Sweet roses, red berries, flowers, mint and orange peel all take an appearance in this utterly impeccable polished Brunello. I imagine the 2008 will still be a special wine at age 30. The aromas are naturally still quite primary, so some cellaring is advisable. The brutal August hailstorm took with it a full 40% of the production, but left behind a strikingly beautiful Brunello endowed with seemingly endless layers of fruit and fabulous overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038.”
Fattoria Petroio Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 5L ($209.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Felsina Fontalloro 2008 ($59.95) $33 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Fontalloro is the yin to the Rancia’s yang. It is also characteristically beautiful, open and expressive at this stage. Layers of sweet red fruit, flowers and spices blossom effortlessly from the 2008 Fontalloro. The intensely saline finish that is present in the Rancia is found in Fontalloro as well. I am usually not the biggest fan of Fontalloro, but there is no denying the superb pedigree and sheer class of the 2008. This is a wonderfully, sophisticated, polished wine from Felsina. In 2008 the slightly drier microclimate at Fontalloro vis-a-vis Rancia is the main reason this wine is such a huge success in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2026.”
Felsina Maestro Raro 2008 ($59.95) $44 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Maestro Raro is beautiful in this vintage, a year in which Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character reigns supreme. Plums, cassis, wild herbs, leather and licorice all come together gracefully in this gorgeous, expressive wine. The 2008 impresses for its length and striking, pure finish. This is a great showing. Maestro Raro is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Malvasia vines that were grafted over beginning in 1984. The 2008 is understated and classy, but its all there. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”
Felsina Vin Santo 2004 375ML ($49.95) $33 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is fabulous. A reference point wine for the region, the 2004 captures the heart and intellect with its superb balance and pure pedigree. The style is moderately sweet and oxidative, in the best of the Vin Santo tradition. Savory herbs, dried flowers, leather and lightly burned sugar add complexity on the finish. Vin Santo? Felsina remains one of the 2-3 reference points, it’s as simple as that. As for the 2004, well, it is utterly majestic.”
Fontodi Flaccianello 2009 ($99.95) $79 special, 28 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “The first impression of this red is purity and finesse, as black currant, raspberry and violet aromas and flavors stay focused and persistent. An earthy leather element and mineral notes chime in on the finish, backed by a vibrant structure. Sangiovese. Best from 2015 through 2032.”
Fossacolle Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($59.95) $41.90 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Fossacolle is gorgeous in this vintage. Freshly cut flowers, plums, spices, licorice and mint are all woven together in this rich, generous wine. The 2007 impresses for its fabulous depth and power. Layers of dark red fruit saturate the palate on the intense finish. Everything is in the right place. The Brunello was aged one year in French oak barrels followed by a second year in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
Isole E Olena Cepparello 2008 ($69.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2008 Cepparello emerges from the glass with sweet herbs, flowers, mint and licorice. There is a distinctly high-toned register to the 2008 that is largely the result of a year with very cold temperatures in the final phase of ripening. This mid-weight Cepparello stands apart for its pure energy and drive. Though outstanding today, the 2008 also appears to have plenty of potential for the future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2029.”
Isole E Olena Cepparello 2010 ($79.95) $57 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “Isole e Olena’s 2010 Cepparello is magnificent. In particular, I admire the way the wine fleshes out in all directions, with seemingly endless layers of dark, mineral-infused berry, plum and pomegranate notes. A primal wine in need of significant cellaring, the 2010 is easily one of the highlights of the year. Bright, saline notes support the precise finish. Today, the 2010 is naturally quite backward and undeveloped, but it should be a gem in another 5-10 years. This is an especially dark, structured Cepparello built for the cellar. The 2010 brightens up with time in the glass, but it remains one of the darker, more brooding wines made in the estate’s history.”
La Fuga Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 ($59.95) $39 special, 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer & Wine Advocate 92 points “Good full, deep red. Complex, expressive nose offers blackberry, black raspberry, sassafras, cola, earth, licorice, mocha and minerals. Sweet, pliant and rich, but with very good energy and an impression of strong extract to the flavors of red fruits and spices. Boasts very good density and volume but excellent definition as well. Finishes long and subtle, with firm tannins and heady aromatic lift. This wine tightened up with air, suggesting that it really should be cellared.”
La Gerla Brunello Riserva Gli Angeli 06 ($79.95) $51.90 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe plum, cigar box and iron notes are backed by solid tannins and lively acidity in this muscular red. There’s also a suppleness in the texture that should increase as the tannins are absorbed. Best from 2015 through 2032.”
La Poderina Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 ($74.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
James Suckling 95 points “Blueberries, flowers and raspberries. Love the nose, like so many others. Full body, with fine tannins and a silky textured finish. So much going on here. Class”
Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso 2009 ($149.95) $99 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 point “Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, Paleo opens with concentrated, sweet-smelling aromas of plum, cherry and cinnamon, which translate to the palate with added notes of spice, leather and tobacco. This is bold, opulent and delicious, and it’s guaranteed to please. Hold for 10 years or more.”
Le Macchiole Scrio Toscana 2009 ($189.95) $119 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Bold and complex, this Syrah opens with intense, superrich notes of chocolate fudge, maraschino cherry, tobacco, sweet spice and rum cake. Smooth, elegant and persistent, this amazing expression boasts ripe fruit tannins. Drink after 2016”
Le Macchiole Scrio Bolgheri 2004 ($199.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Le Macchiole’s 2004 Scrio (Syrah) is a wild, exotic wine that flows from the glass with a compelling array of earthiness, mint, dark fruit, herbs, espresso and toasted oak. This sweet, layered wine possesses superb clarity and detail with an incredible lightness on the palate that is achieved notwithstanding its density. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.”
Lisini Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 ($79.95) $59 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good deep red. Aromas of crushed cherry, minerals and pungent smoke. Intense red berry and spice flavors are framed by strong but integrated acidity. Not at all overly sweet but broad, rich and concentrated. Classy, floral sangiovese with superb energy and lift, and the structure to support a slow and graceful evolution in bottle.”
Marchesi Mazzei Philip Cabernet Toscana 2008 ($49.95) $41.90 special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points, Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2008 Philip is dedicated to another family ancestor, Philip Mazzei (1730-1816). It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from both the Fonterutoli estate in Castellina in Chianti and the Belguardo estate in Maremma. Its flavor profile represents the complete antithesis of the delicate and feminine Mix36. Instead, Philip is a bold and brawny wine with New World tasting points: Exotic spice and ripe fruit are principal players. Anticipated maturity: 2015”
Marroneto Madonna Della Grazie Brunello 2007 ($84.95) $69 special, 13 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Selezione Madonna delle Grazie is a huge, explosive wine endowed with fabulous aromatics, beautifully delineated fruit and plenty of supporting structure. Violets, mint, licorice and black cherries develop in the glass, adding further layers of complexity and nuance. The 2007 Madonna delle Grazie possesses stunning richness and power. Today the tannins are firm, but they will soften with further time in the bottle. This is another beautifully balanced, first-class effort from Il Marroneto. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.”
Mastrojanni Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($59.95) $41.90 special, 22 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Love the aromas of cedar, light vanilla, dark berry and plums. Full body, with layered tannins and and a beautiful mouth-feel. Lingers for minutes. The is a subtle and complex. Mastrojanni is getting better and better. Better than 2006.”
Mastrojanni Brunello Vigna Loreto 2007 ($79.95) $51.90 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is a new wine from Mastrojanni. Ripe, silky tannins support the fruit in this caressing, expressive Brunello. The generous, inviting style captures the personality of the year in spades. The Loreto is a touch less aromatically expressive than the straight Brunello, but also has an extra dimension of textural richness. The Loreto was fermented in cement and in aged in cask for 36 months”
Montepeloso A Quo 2011 ($24.95) $16.60 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “Once again, Montepeloso’s entry-level A Quo is fabulous. I expected to find a rich, powerful wine given the year, instead the 2011 A Quo is fresh, vibrant and beautifully delineated. Hints of raspberry jam, rose petals and sweet spices literally jump from the glass. The 2011 is best enjoyed over the next few years, while the fruit remains vibrant. This is a terrific showing from proprietor Fabio Chiarellotto.”
Montepeloso Eneo Suvereto 2008 ($44.95) $29 special, 25 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2008 Eneo literally sparkles on the palate with vibrant red fruit, freshly cut flowers and spices. It shows remarkable tension and delineation all the way through to the resonant finish. This is a striking wine in every way. Floral notes reappear on the finish, along with iron, smoke and ferrous notes, all of which add considerable complexity. This is a dazzling effort from proprietor Fabio Chiarellotto. It is composed of 40% Montepulciano, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Marselan and 10% Alicante Bouschet. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Fabio Chiarellotto has done a fabulous job with his 2008s. The Eneo in particular remains one of the best -priced wines from Tuscany’s Maremma.”
Montepeloso Eneo Suvereto 2010 ($49.95) $38 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “One of the great wines of this vintage, the 2010 Eneo is dazzling. Subtle hints of earthiness, new leather, smoke, bacon fat, tobacco and savory herbs meld into a core of expressive dark red/black fruit. Nuanced and delicate, yet immensely powerful, the 2010 Eneo has it all. The 2010 keeps getting better and better in the glass. I imagine it will be spectacular in another few years. Actually, it already is. Eneo is the largest production of Montepeloso’s three top reds, which will make it easier to find. Readers will not want to miss the superb wine. Montepulciano and Sangiovese are the core of Eneo, while dollops of Alicante and Marsellan round out the blend.”
Montepeloso Gabbro 2009 ($179.95) $127 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Gabbro (Cabernet Sauvignon) is impeccable and refined from start to finish. This isn’t a vintage built on structure, as has been the case in the recent past, but rather a wine that impresses for its silky tannins, expressive aromatics, and overall finesse. The 2009 is quite feminine and gracious in style, but there is plenty of underlying tannin and fruit. In exchange, the 2009 should drink well earlier than some of the other, more important vintages that precede it. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
Montepeloso Gabbro 2010 ($199.95) $119 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Gabbro, Montepeloso’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is all about texture. Today the flavors are completely unevolved, instead it is the wine’s towering presence and sheer personality that stand out most. With time in the glass hints of melted road tar, graphite, smoke and incense gradually being to emerge. An exotic mélange of savory herb nuances melt into veins of salinity frame the finish. Readers will have to be patient with the 2010, but it is a jewel of a wine.”
Montepeloso Nardo 2008 (4139.95) $99 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Nardo explodes on the palate with wild dark cherries, spices, licorice, cassis and leather. Dark and powerful, yet supremely elegant, the Nardo impresses for its exceptional balance and purity. The fruit literally wraps around the palate in a stunning, radiant expression of pure class. Sweet mentholated and floral notes add the final layers of depth and complexity in this superb wine (45% Montepulciano, 45% Sangiovese, 10% Marselan). Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.”
Montepeloso Nardo 2010 ($149.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A wine that conquers all the senses, the 2010 is also massively structured. Still, the potential I sensed from barrel is all there in the glass. Rich, dark and powerful, the 2010 Nardo is one of the more intense wines in the range and is likely to require considerable patience. Dark red/black fruit, melted road tar, tobacco, licorice, cloves and cracked pepper linger on the potent, brooding finish. The Eneo is distinguished in the range for its firm, nervous tannin. Give the 2010 another few years in bottle, then drink to age 20, perhaps beyond. Nardo is 50% Montepulciano, 30% Sangiovese and 20% Marsellan.”
Muracci Fortediga Maremma 2004 ($27.95) $21.90 special, 1 bottle available
Palazzetta Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($49.95) $29 special, 4 bottles available
Petrolo Torrione Toscana 2007 ($59.95) $39 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautiful aromas of plums, berries and chocolates. Clear and precise. Full-bodied, very refined, with a dense yet elegant palate of plum, chocolate and cherry. Long and caressing. Very fine. Wonderfully polished. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best after 2010.”
Petrolo Torrione Toscana 2009 ($39.95) $25.70 special, 3+ cases available
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of lightly stewed fruit, with hints of fresh herbs and spices. Full bodied, with soft tannins and a fruity finish. This is balanced and long, with a caressing finish. Best ever. Mostly Sangiovese, with a hint of Merlot. Better after 2013”
Piccolomini Brunello Montalcino 2007 ($69.95) $49 special, 29 bottles available
#9 WINE 2012 Wine Spectator 94 points “Though dense and rich, this red is also sleekly proportioned and harmonious. The cherry, raspberry, licorice, earth and tobacco flavors meld with the solid structure. Offers fine length and complexity that increases with aeration. Best from 2014 through 2025”
Poggio Antico Brunello Montalcino Altero 2007 ($109.95) $66 special, 35 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “This is the best wine ever from Poggio Antico. Aromas of blackberries and flowers follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a polished tannin mouth-feel. This is really structured, yet elegant. Wonderful purity. Better in 2014, but who can wait?”
Poggio Di Sotto Brunello 2006 ($179.95) $119 special, 26 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is an explosive, structured wine bursting with dark fruit. It is one of the most inward, brooding wines of the vintage. Black cherries, menthol, spices and new leather are some of the nuances that flow as this expansive Brunello literally covers every inch of the palate. This is a totally mesmerizing, sublime wine of the highest level.”
Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione 2010 ($89.95) $59 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Carbonaione (Sangiovese) is a stunner. Deep, rich and utterly impeccable, the 2010 boasts breathtaking richness, energy and power. The flavors remain incredibly primary in a wine that will require years to develop. Graphite, crushed rocks, blue/black fruit, plums and smoke emerge over time. As phenomenal as the 2010 is today, it really should be cellared for at least a few years. This is a drop dead gorgeous wine from Vittorio and Jurij Fiore.”
Ricasoli Chianti Classico Colledila 2007 ($59.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fruity Chianti, delivering attractive berry and vanilla aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a delicious finish. Balanced and very pretty. A new single-vineyard wine from Ricasoli. This is lovely now, but will be better with bottle age. Drink now.”
Rocca Di Frassinello Baffonero 2009 ($219.95) $149 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Baffonero is superb in this vintage. It bursts onto the palate with an exotic array of plums, blackberries, French oak, spices, violets and licorice, all of which wrap around the palate with notable intensity. Baffonero keeps getting better with each passing vintage, but in 2009 it appears everything has come together. Tar, smoke, violets and licorice wrap around the muscular, jammy finish. With a little more polish, Baffonero could very well be an exceptional wine. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024”
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Oro 2007 ($39.95) $26 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “This has an almost roasted nose, and offers dark plum, leather, chocolate and earth flavors. Rich and powerful, yet stays focused, with fine balance and a lingering finish. Best from 2013 through 2022.”
Ruffino Romitorio De Santedame Toscana 2004 ($79.95) $33 special, 13 bottles available
Wine Specator 91 points “There’s pleasant damson fruit and mineral character, with hints of chocolate and flowers. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit lingering on a lightly firm, velvety texture. Needs a little more bottle time. Colorino and Merlot. Best after 2009. 4,000 cases made”
San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello 2008 ($49.95) $36 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is strikingly beautiful in this vintage. Sweet floral notes meld into raspberries, flowers, mint and spices. A sexy, radiant wine, the 2008 impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. The long, polished finish is impeccable. All the elements are in the right place. I don’t expect the 2008 to be a long-term ager, but it is very appealing today.”
Sassetti La Querciolina Montecucco Sangiovese 2010 ($21.95) $18 special, 1 bottle available
Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 ($59.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good full medium red. Aromas of plum, redcurrant, coffee, mocha and oak. Broad, silky, sweet and seamless, but today a strong spine of acidity gives it a rather backward impression. Not yet as sweet or delineated as the normale, but this wine’s tight bitter cherry and redcurrant fruit and rather clenched tannic backbone suggest that it will eventually surpass the regular release.”
Silvio Nardi Brunello Manachiara 2006 ($99.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good full medium red. Aromas of plum, redcurrant, coffee, mocha and oak. Broad, silky, sweet and seamless, but today a strong spine of acidity gives it a rather backward impression. Not yet as sweet or delineated as the normale, but this wine’s tight bitter cherry and redcurrant fruit and rather clenched tannic backbone suggest that it will eventually surpass the regular release.”
Solaria Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 ($59.95) $30.90 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Plum, cedar and leather aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with a lovely density of ripe fruit and a soft, velvety textured finish. Ripe and beautiful. An opulent wine that opens on the palate. This is the best ever from this estate.”
Tenuta Ornellaia Ornellaia Bolgheri 2009 ($189.95) $149 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2009 Ornellaia caresses the palate with layers of seamless, radiant fruit. Sweet red berries, mocha, flowers, new leather and spices are some of the many notes that are layered in this sumptuous, totally beautiful wine. The 2009 stands out for its silky tannins and phenomenal overall balance. This is one of those wines that will probably enjoy a long drinking window. There is little question the ability to blend grape varieties was a huge help in this vintage. In my opinion, that is the main reason Ornellaia is a slightly more complete wine than Masseto in 2009. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 made a very eloquent case for itself as the wine of the vintage. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In 2009 winemaker Axel Heinz used the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever in Ornellaia and gave the wine less time in oak, both with the goal of preserving as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.”
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana 2008 ($89.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Oreno is stunningly beautiful. An open, expressive bouquet laced with mint, red berries, roses and spices emerges with superb clarity and balance. The tension between the minerality of the vintage and the rich expression of fruit that is one of the house’s hallmarks play off each other beautifully here. The finish is utterly exquisite in its beguiling beauty. The 2008 isn’t the most powerful Oreno ever made, but it is quite possibly the most elegant, impeccably refined wine I have ever tasted here. Simply put, it is fabulous juice! In 2008 the percentage of Sangiovese is way down and Oreno is predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, a decision that has paid off handsomely. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
Tua Rita Toscana Redigaffi 2010 ($249.95) $199 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Redigaffi is even more impressive with seamless integration of ripe fruit and oak spice that meet each other perfectly in the middle. It soars to new heights of elegance and power, imparting beautiful tones of black fruit, polished river stone, bacon fat and black pepper as it makes its steady ascent. The mouthfeel is fleshy and generous and there is plenty of backbone here to carry the wine forward throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038.”
Vignamaggio Il Morino Sangiovese 2010 ($11.95) $7.70 special, 11 bottles available
Vignamaggio Vignamaggio Toscano IGT 2006 ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Franc is marvelous in its ripe dark fruit, violets, graphite, espresso, Venezuelan bittersweet chocolate and minerals. The interplay between fruit and structure here is simply magnificent, while the wine’s focus and crystalline purity are something to behold. This beautifully sculpted, powerful Cabernet Franc captures plenty of varietal expression married to an unmistakable sense of Tuscany. It is a magnificent effort from Vignamaggio. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026.”
Vitanza Brunello Montalcino Tradizion 2007 ($49.95) $28 special, 30 bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “Rose petals and plums on the nose. Full body, with round and chewy tannins and a ripe finish. Tannic, yet polished texture. Give it two to three years of bottle age. This wine is clearly better in 2007 than 2006”