Tuscany Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Wallter Speller writes:  Lustrous mid ruby. An elegant, fragrant raspberry nose, gorgeous supple and juicy cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate, and with gripping, nutty tannins. Very long and succulent and fragrant.  Drinking 2022 to 2028.  - Jancis Robinson 17++

Audrey Frick writes:  The dark ruby 2020 Chianti Classico is ripe with aromas of black raspberry coulis, red flowers, sweet tobacco, and pine. Elegant and medium-bodied, it fills the palate with supple texture, fine tannins, and an even, well-balanced finish. This is a highly approachable wine that I would be fighting to pour by the glass if I were still running a wine program. Pure, classic, and balanced, it’s a gulpable wine will drink great now or over the coming 6-8 years.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92+

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Chianti Classico is super-impressive. It's the sort of wine that needs time to come together, though, so readers should be in no rush. The purity of the fruit is really quite compelling. Dark cherry, plum, cedar, incense and licorice build nicely in a mid-weight Chianti Classico that hits all the right notes.  Drinking 2023 to 2032.  - Vinous 91

Monica Larner writes:  The certified organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2020 Chianti Classico is a clever blend of 90% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo from a unique growing site in Gaiole in Chianti. This vintage absolutely stands out thanks to its ample and generous fruit profile, driven by a warm and sunny vintage. This sees steel, cement and oak. The wine travels over the palate with an elegant and velvety texture. This is an entry-level production of 51,872 bottles (and some magnums), and it hits all the right notes.  Drinking 2022 to 2030.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A dense red, with solid tannins and lively acidity supporting expressive cherry, raspberry, iron and earth flavors. Balanced, long and will benefit from food or another year or two of bottle age. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Drink now through 2028.  - Wine Spectator 90

Winemaker Description

It is a Chianti with a traditional style, energetic and elegant, expressing beautiful complexity and cleanliness in the nose. It is aged for at least 10 months in oak barrels and barriques plus 6 months in the bottle and expresses aromas of ripe red fruit and spicy notes, for an agile, fresh and soft sip.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

"This red is all about finesse, delivering superb balance and complexity, with cherry, raspberry, earth and wild herb aromas and flavors. Succulent and charming, yet with a solid base of tannins and vivid acidity, this remains focused through the long aftertaste." Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 96 points

"The Caprili 2019 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a very pretty bouquet with a level of ripe fruit and pure cherry essence that does not come easily to a wine aged five years following the harvest. The primary fruit remains intact in this vintage. This village bottling shows velvety richness and concentration that stems directly from that exceptional fruit quality. There is rich texturing and fine chalky tannins to close. Some 55,000 bottles were made." Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 95 points

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is remarkably pretty, wafting up with a blend of violets and lavender before giving way to steeped plum lifted by mint. This is racy and sleek, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that excite the palate. Juicy acidity enlivens tart wild berry fruits. The 2019 finds its center through the finish, as fine tannins emerge and a crunchy sensation lingers. Licorice and bitter blackberry notes taper off slowly. In a word, fantastic. The balance of complexity, structure and energy places the 2019 very high in my book." Vinous Media - 95 points

"A ruby/magenta color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers more rounded floral aromas of preserved strawberry, baby powder, cocoa, and lavender. Medium-bodied, it brings forward excellent energy on the palate, with fresh acidity, good concentration, and a sustained and mouthwatering finish that’s pure and delicious. The structure feels more noble than the nose would suggest and perhaps just needs more time to come into its own, but this is a really delicious wine that I would love to have again and again. On the second tasting, it offers a more plush and velvety texture, and its chocolate notes last on the finish." Jeb Dunnuck - 94+ points

"Very pretty floral aromas with black cherry and orange peel. Medium body, firm tannins and a polished and silky-textured finish. Drink in two or three years and beyond. " James Suckling - 93 points

"Giacomo Bartolomei has been making the wine at his family’s property without an external consultant since 2016. He maintains an uber-pristine cellar, prepares a pied de cuve to aid spontaneous fermentations in stainless steel and has reduced time in wood to preserve freshness as the wine ages. From its deep ruby hue to its black cherry scents, the 2019 is youthful and primary. Accents of mocha, bitter orange and sage bestow complexity on the palate. Fairly robust and mouthfilling, this is buttressed by dry, grainy tannins. Could do with a bit more precision but there is potential here." Decanter Magazine - 92 points

Expert Review - Vintage 2018 

Wine Spectator 91 Points | A powerful red, with savory eucalyptus, tobacco and tomato leaf aromas and flavors offset by cherry and plum notes. Beefy tannins set the stage for a lingering, grainy finish. Best from 2024 through 2033. -- Bruce Sanderson (2018).

Winemaker Description

In the glass it shows intense garnet red reflections. On the nose aromas of small red fruits, strawberries and currants. Then pomegranate and the unmistakable violet scent of good Sangiovese. In the background a touch of vanilla, sweet spices and licorice. The palate is well balanced with hints of ripe cherries and plums, supported by precise and elegant tannins. The body is warm and enveloping with a long and persistent finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Its bouquet is intense, pure, pleasant and refined, reminiscent of sweet violet, tobacco, chocolate and pleasant hints of wild berries and vanilla. Its flavor fully confirms the above in a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with good tannins and a solid structure. 

Expert Reviews-Vintage 2019

Decanter 95 Points | Altesino counts approximately 50 hectares throughout Montalcino’s northern and southern stretches. A compilation of diverse sites, the estate Brunello is among the denomination’s best values. If the Montosoli bottling is more solemn in tone, this 2019 is joyful and bright. Heady red currant and cherry mingle with plum and anise. The sumptuously fruited, plush palate is mouth filling yet agile. Sandy textured tannins envelop and caress while citrusy acidity lifts the whole. Already accessible, it has sufficient depth, concentration and backbone for a solid decade of enjoyment. (2019). 

Robert Parker 95 Points | The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). (2019). 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. (2019). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste. (2019).

James Suckling 94 Points | A dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation. (2019). 

Expert Description

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | Ampeleia Estate Unlitro is a light, earthy, natural blend of Alicante (Grenache), Mourvedre, Carignano, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet from the Tuscan Coast made by Biodynamic wine grower Elisabetta Foradori. The Ampeleia Estate consists of 150 hectares of which 35 are planted to vines and the remainder to wheat, legumes, vegetables, olive groves, woodlands and animals. This vivacious red, which boasts a modest 12% alcohol, sees no oak during production, keeping it agile, light on its feet and almost too easily quaffable.

Aromas of forest flowers, strawberry blossoms, earthy blood plums and delicate spices open up on the nose with crisp, peppery fruit refreshing the palate complimented by invigorating acidity and gentle tannins on the finish.

Not a trace of heaviness, just a pure, natural expression of organic grape growing and harmonious winemaking done with lots of love.

Serve chilled, pour generously, and pair it with just about anything!

Winemaker Description

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | This is one of the great vintages for this cuvée and would be a wine for lovers of Bordeaux. The 2021 Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia sports a saturated red hue and opens to a great layered and harmonious nose, with aromas of kirsch, leather, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and crushed flowers that all resonate together with wonderful purity and depth. It’s open and generous on the palate, with refined, polished tannins, outstanding length, and refreshing acidity that’s seamlessly woven into the wine. Boy, is this hard to resist now and is a truly stunning wine from recently departed winemaker Olga Fusari. Bravo. Stash as much of this as you can away – it’s one for the ages. A great feather in the cap for Axel Heinz as well, it can only increase anticipation of the house’s top label for next year. Bravo tutti. (2021). 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | On the nose, hot, meaty, umami aromas hold court, but dark fruit and a sanguine, tangy metallic component prevent those notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acid ensure the spicy earthiness endures. (2021).

James Suckling 94 Points | A firm and linear red with currant, berry, chocolate and cedar character. It’s medium- to full-bodied. Fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s tight and focused. Energetic and bright. 50% merlot and 28% cabernet sauvignon and the rest split equally between petit verdot and cabernet franc. Better after 2026. (2021).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | A polished red, complex and perfumed, featuring black currant, blackberry, plum, violet and iron aromas and flavors. Builds nicely, showing off its poise and releasing the dense tannins at the end. This should evolve well. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 3,252 cases imported. (2021). 

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a nicely extracted and rich blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This vintage is very generous, even opulent, with dark fruit that is framed by exotic spice, baking chocolate and softly toasted tones from French oak. The wine ends on a creamy note with vanilla and cinnamon. The oak needs a few more years to integrate. (2021). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 94 Points | This shows notes of dried cherries and red plums with cured meat, dried sage and tree bark undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of structure. Ripe and velvety tannins with a fluid and polished mid-palate. Flavorful and intense.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | The nose starts herbaceous and fresh, with aromas of mint, fennel and salt, before tart fruit emerges with notes of black cherry and blood orange. The palate brings more cherries, but maintains an overall fresh, earthy and minty feel. Acid blazes behind dense, chewy tannins.

Winemaker Description 

In 1927, the inaugural Riserva Ducale vintage was crafted as a homage to the wine-loving Duke of Aosta. Two decades later, in 1947, Ruffino commemorated the exceptional vintage by introducing the inaugural Riserva Ducale Oro, heralding the concept of Gran Selezione ahead of its time. Its potential for decades of aging is matched only by its historical significance. 

Intense cherry, plum, and violet notes on the nose, leading to a complex bouquet with hints of eucalyptus, chocolate, and black pepper. A strong structure with elegant tannins, good acidity, and a finish marked by sweet tobacco, balsamic notes, and plum.

One out of every three bottles of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione opened in the world is Riserva Ducale Oro.

James Suckling - 92 points "A savory and pretty nuanced Vino Nobile here showing orange zest, plums, grapefruit, mineral and fine spices. A twist of mineral salinity on the palate with firm, tense tannins and a pure, pithy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink in the next five years."

Vinous Media - 91 points "The 2019 Nobile di Montepulciano is a total pleasure on the nose. Sweet spice complements bright raspberry and cherry aromas. This envelopes the palate with silky textures balanced by juicy acidity as rose-tinged red berries cascade across the palate. It leaves a gentle coating of fine tannins while maintaining a lovely energy as hard red candy hints fade."

In the glass the Nobile 2020 shows garnet red reflections. On the nose, it offers aromas of small red fruits, pomegranate and the unmistakable violet scent of good Sangiovese. In the background a touch of vanilla and tomato leaf. The palate is well balanced, with sweet notes of ripe cherries and plum jam, supported by precise and elegant tannins. The body is dynamic and compelling and the pleasant drinkability is accompanied by good persistence.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling 97 points - This has a complex nose of cranberries, dried pineapple, soy, bark, cardamom, mocha, iodine and wet leather. Full-bodied, with firm and very fine tannins. It really builds in intensity, expanding into a broad array of fresh and dried fruit and espresso bean, before converging again on a long and driven finish. Fantastic already.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 points - Attractive smoky perfume lifts from the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli, with sunny red plum, anise, lavender, and cedar. It is full-bodied, with a refined tannin structure, and a bit more wood influence that will integrate nicely in time. Offering notes of black cherry, licorice, crushed stones, and warming spice, it displays a broader nature compared to the rest of the range, which is to be expected from this iconic site with a somewhat warmer, south-facing exposition.

The Wine Advocate 94+ points - The word "Vigna" has been added to the official name of this wine to underline work in the appellation meant to focus on single-vineyard designates. The Altesino 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli comes from a unique growing site with some of the best exposures from hillside vineyards. This wine shows a slightly dark hue with added concentration and depth. I am delighted by the bouquet that reveals dark cherry, blue flower, crushed stone and grilled herb. There is sweet toast and spice at the back. This is one of the more complete and age-worthy wines from the 2018 vintage.end quote.

Wine Spectator 94 points - A dense, tannic red, with plum, cherry, menthol, iron and spice flavors driven by lively acidity. A bit more burly than many 2018s, yet this remains vibrant, superlong and complex.

Vinous Media - 94 points - The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is dark and brooding with a lavender-tinged mix of crushed rocks, dusty cherry, curry leaf and hints of balsamic spice. It's delicate with a balanced inner sweetness and smooth contours, showing vividly ripe wild blackberry, and even hints of blueberry fruit. It leaves a staining of primary concentration, like liquid violets, yet finishes only lightly structured and wonderfully perfumed. The magic of Montosoli shines through, but don't expect the 2018 to make old bones. Production was down by 20% due to a more-severe selection of grapes in 2018.

Winemaker Description

Brunello is the prince of Montalcino wines, produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes picked by hand from the oldest vines in the farm. After being aged in wood, the wine is bottle aged: this is an essential process in guaranteeing the pleasantness and the complexity that have made the Brunello di Montalcino world-famous. Ruby red in color, with a very intense, persistent nose and with red fruit notes. Warm, balanced flavour with velvet-smooth tannins. Long-lasting aroma. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points Decanter Magazine | The 2019 is a vintage of balance, somewhere between 2016, 2013 and 2010. Sant'Angelo in Colle, which suffers in warmer vintages, performed very well and Il Poggione is a great example of the harmony of the area's wines in this vintage. Fruity at first sniff, it becomes more restrained later, with black cherry, violet, leather, graphite vibrancy and its typical nutty finish. The chalky tannins are extracted but velvety, underlined by an almost zesty acidity.

94 Points The Wine Advocate | The Il Poggione 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows an evolved bouquet with aromas of dried fruit, forest floor, crushed flower and autumnal leaf. On a second nose, you get dark licorice, wet slate, cola and grilled rosemary. The tannins are powdery and dry. I recommend a medium-term drinking window as a result. You do feel the powerful 15% alcohol content in this ample 200,000-bottle release.

94 Points Wine Spectator | Features ample plum, cherry, iron, tobacco and underbrush flavors buoyed by a plump texture to match the dense structure, plus vibrant acidity to keep it all focused. Another year of aging should allow the finish to stretch out and this wine to reach its full potential. Best from 2026 through 2042. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

92 James Suckling Lots of dried fruit, such as figs and dried cherries, followed by tree bark, rosemary and a hint of sandalwood. Full-bodied, creamy palate with a solid tannin texture. Wonderful length. Dense and opulent. Better after 2029.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 93 Points | This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years. 

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red. Aroma: This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Tasting profile: Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva is well balanced on the palate, with velvety tannins, firm acidity, and a lingering finish of rosemary. Its structure will allow it to age for two to five years, if not longer.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Winemaker Description

Monte Bernardi Retromarcia Chianti Classico is a deep, ruby red with hints of purple. Intense notes of mountain herbs, aromas of cranberry, wild cherry and red plums, anise, spice, and orange peel. Fresh and fruity, medium-bodied, well balanced, with a nice structure, juicy acidity and a long finish.

Expert Review

Decanter 91 Points | A lovely vintage for Retromarcia, this smells of place: scents of bergamot and lavender meet fresh herbs and wild red berries. The midweight, buoyant palate is juicy with ripe red cherry and raspberry enfolded in layers of fine, well-structured tannins. A subtle earthiness adds appeal. As with the Sangió, this sees a spontaneous fermentation with native yeast, and is unfiltered and carries low total sulphur (less than 25mg/L). It hails from the estate’s younger vines (less than 20 years old) from varying aspects, elevations and soils. (2021)

Winemaker Description 

Mevushal. Dacci Chianti DOCG is a classic expression of Sangiovese, the primary grape of the Chianti region in Tuscany, Italy. This dry, red wine boasts a smooth texture and balanced acidity, showcasing the unique terroir of the region. 

With its subtle tannins and bright acidity, Dacci Chianti DOCG is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with traditional Italian cuisine, hearty stews, and grilled meats, making it a must-try for fans of classic Italian wines.

Expert Reviews

Winemaker Description

Coming from a classic, Bolgheri vintage, Promis shows a bright, ruby-red color. The nose has hints of spice such as cinnamon and star anise along with pronounced red fruits like strawberry and black cherry. 

The tannins are juicy and persistent all culminating in a salinity that is a classic hallmark of good vintages in Bolgheri. 

Coming from a classic, Bolgheri vintage, Promis shows a bright, ruby-red color. The nose has hints of spice such as cinnamon and star anise along with pronounced red fruits like strawberry and black cherry. The tannins are juicy and persistent all culminating in a salinity that is a classic hallmark of good vintages in Bolgheri. 

Expert Reviews

97 Points Wine Spectator |  Expressive and lush, this red shows ripe cherry, plum, earth, tobacco and leather notes, backed by a rigid backbone of tannins. This is vibrant too, leaving a long aftertaste of fruit, mineral and savory accents, with fine harmony and complexity. (BS) (2015).

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2015 AdAlberto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is ripe with black cherry fruit, sassafras, and anise. The palate is fruit-forward and approachable up front, with notes of black raspberry, tea leaf, and clove, and its more classic structure coming through on the finish. This wonderful wine has freshness while expressing the sunny character of the 2015 vintage. AdAlbreto was not produced in 2013 or 2014, and this is a welcome return from winemaker Giacomo Bartolommei. 

96 Points James Suckling |  Lots of dried and sour cherries on the nose with earth and dried leaves. Smoke and cigar box, too. It’s full-bodied with ultra fine tannins and delicious orange peel and a touch of leather on the finish. Really impressive texture.  

96 Points Wine Advocate | Tasted from an unfinished shiner bottle, the Caprili 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva AdAlberto is a single-vineyard expression that has drawn its fruit from the same site since 2010. The wine is dedicated to the paternal figure Alberto Bartolomei (grandfather to the current owners) who planted these vines in 1965. You can definitely taste the age and authentic character of those plants in the concentration and richness of the fruit, presented here with the abundance that only the 2015 vintage affords. The wine is smooth and enduring, and the tannins just need a few more years of bottle age. This is a small-production wine with just 4,000 bottles made. 96+ 

95 Points Vinous: | The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Ad Alberto Riserva from Caprili harnesses the ripeness of the vintage and melds it beautifully with savory earth tones. There are masses of dark florals and sweet herbs, as mineral-laced wild berry fruits come forward. With further coaxing notes of licorice, brown spice and baker’s chocolate evolve in the glass - does it ever end? It’s silky and pliant, providing an initial burst of ripe dark berries before giving way to a mix of sour citrus and fine tannins. Its structure is formidable, yet so are its primary fruits, coming across as perfectly balanced and full of potential. (EG) 

94 Points Decanter | An homage to winemaker Giacomo Bartolommei’s great grandfather Alberto, this Riserva is from the estate’s Madre vineyard, planted in 1965 and serving as a mother block for new plantings. This evokes Tuscany’s slightly unkempt wildness with Mediterranean scrub, dried flowers, sun-soaked berries and sea breezes. It’s full, with voluminous ripe fruit corseted by dry, chalky tannins. Flavours are somewhat oxidative in character, though not tired, and the structure is solid. The finish reverberates with salted liquorice. 

94 Points Wine Enthusiast |   Earthy aromas of new leather, truffle and blue flower mingle with camphor and baked plum on this full-bodied red. On the fleshy palate, velvety tannins envelope dried cherry, prune, licorice and tobacco before closing on a hint of game. Best 2022–2030. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 90 Points | A bright, fruity style, with elements of earth, wild herb and menthol adding interest. Fluid and moderately long, featuring beefy tannins. Sangioveto, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2015 Maremma Toscana Le Sughere di Frassinello is a great value blend of 50% Sangioveto, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon (aged in French oak for one year). This wine boasts a proven track record for its consistent value and accessibility and can be counted on for both. It releases a steady flow of dark fruit and spice aromas that build in momentum. The mouthfeel is generous and softly velvety in texture, especially in this warm vintage.

James Suckling 92 Points | A juicy and ripe red with dried berry and chocolate. Medium body with chewy and soft tannins. Flavorful finish. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Monica Larner writes:  The 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It opens to an impenetrable, full-bodied approach with dark fruit, pencil shaving, toasted oak, Spanish cedar, campfire ash and iron ore. For sure, this is an especially concentrated and oak-driven vintage of this iconic wine. It absolutely requires more aging time. It feels quite tight and firm in its youth. The concentration is abundant.  Drinking 2026 - 2045  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95

Audrey Frick writes:  The 2020 Ornellaia is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, raised in 70% new French oak for 18 months, with another 12 months in bottle prior to release. Flush with herbs and menthol, blackberry, and cedar, it is full bodied and fills the sides of the mouth with rounded fruit of luxurious plum, black cherry, and toast, with supple and velvety tannins. Drink 2026-2046.  - Jeb Dunnuck 96

Jancis Robinson writes: Deep, lustrous crimson. Very sumptuous nose followed up by a hedonistic palate that finishes especially fresh. Ripe but not too-ripe fruit – a drier (much less sweet) vintage than usual which should age well. Unusually, there is some vestige of tannin on the finish. It's certainly possible to drink now if it's aerated before serving but ideally, I'd keep this awhile. Savoury persistence.  Drinking 2024 - 2028  - Jancis Robinson 18

Bruce Sanderson writes:  Inviting aromas of blackberry, black currant, anise, cedar, vanilla and tobacco draw you in to this red, which is sleek and open on the palate. This is so well-balanced, it's approachable now, yet there's a bit of reserve too. The fruit flavors are prominent on the finish, along with mineral and spice notes, while the lasting impression is a salty, flinty element. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2045.   - Wine Spectator 96

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Ornellaia is a gorgeous, elegant wine. Seamless and wonderfully deep on the palate, the 2020 is super-refined from the outset. Even with all of its depth, the 2020 retains terrific freshness and cut to play off its soft, succulent fruit. Overall, the 2020 looks to be a relatively accessible Ornellaia that will drink well with minimal cellaring. I especially admire the precision and understated finesse here.  Drinking 2027 - 2045  - Vinous 96

James Button writes:  Estate director Axel Heinz called 2020 ‘a classic Ornellaia,’ and picked the theme of ‘La Proporzione‘ (proportion) to describe its character. Indeed, the blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot marks a return to a more typical blend following the pendulum swings of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019, and 51% Merlot in 2018. Fine-grained and beautifully textured, its finely integrated tannins support a concentration of black fruits lightened by red berries. Aromas of black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar and damp earth make for a fragrant wine, accompanied by menthol and balsamic streaks which run through the wine and impart plenty of freshness. It finishes with a stony and salty element along with some chocolatey and woody hints. Tight and moreish, its ripeness of fruit combined with freshness and structure adeptly tells the story of this earlier-ripening vintage. It lacks complexity in the mouth – this will come with time – but the array of aromas gives a hint of what is to come.  Drinking 2023 -2050  - Decanter 96

Georgina Hindle writes:  Black bramble fruit on the nose, heady, expressive, forward and open. Aromatic and inviting - on the riper, jammy side. Lithe and supple, this has an energy and weight giving plush tannins but with an austere, mineral grip. A curious combination but one that serves to give a round, interesting mouthful with both balsamic black and sweet blue fruits with touches of wet stone, cola and liquorice. Dark and brooding, a little sombre right now, clearly powerful with concentration and you can tell it's been well worked - feels controlled but still quite tense and constricted. The overall texture is sublime and I do love the dark sticky liquorice and bitter orange zest but this isn't quite giving the wow factor. Nice layering, linear and pure, tannins a touch dry on the finish. Refined and austere. Has a touch of ripe jamminess that detracts a little from the charming elegance you know this wine can have. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.  Drinking 2026 -2046

James Suckling writes:  Alluring aromas of lead pencil and currants with crushed stone and iodine. Full-bodied with hemmed in tannins that are tight and focused. Very fresh and energetic with wonderful length and intensity for this vintage. Needs four or five years to come together. Better in 2028 and onwards.  - James Suckling 98

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Winemaker Description 

This Tuscan “Super Value” is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and comes from a single-vineyard site in the Alta Maremma called Rompicollo. The vineyard benefits from southern exposure, ample sunlight, and a soil rich in tufo, a particular type of volcanic rock.

A deep, bright ruby red in color, on the nose it offers an elegant, varied bouquet of ripe berry fruits (such as blackberries and raspberries), dried aromatic herbs and delicate sweet spices. On the palate it is full-bodied, mellow and mouth-filling, with velvety tannins. Though richly flavored, it displays an attractive suppleness in the mouth.

Winemaker Description

Borgo Reale Chianti Riserva is made from a selection of the finest grapes, receiving additional aging following fermentation. Enjoy with all types of pasta, hor d'oeuvres, and red or white meats.

Winemaker Description

Expert Ratings

James Suckling 93 Points | “Lovely crushed berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a crunchy and delicious finish. A blend of mostly merlot and cabernet sauvignon with some syrah and cabernet franc.

Winemaker Description

Vibrant acidity and refined tannins seep into the fabric of this round red, which is laced with cherry, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Mineral and underbrush accents add depth as this plays out on the long, dusty finish. Best from 2026 through 2043.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

Vinous 94 Points | The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte opens with a minty freshness as flint stone and dusty rose give way to crushed cherries. Silky and pliant, this possesses an elegance not often seen, with violet and lavender tones accentuating its polished red and blue fruits. This tapers off with sweet tannins balanced by an orange hint. A structured yet mouth-watering sensation lingers on. What a beauty this is.

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red color. Aromas of currants, fresh tobacco, flowers and wood. Velvety tannins, structured, with good acidity and fruit, intense and fresh finish.

Pair with mature cheeses, aromatic meats, truffles, roasts and grilled pork.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Aromas of bark, wild herbs and cherry soda. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and sweet flowers coming through. Good, steady length. Clean. Drink now.

Expert Review

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva shows velvety richness and good textural support. This comes thanks to the warmer microclimate and thicker soils, sometimes with a lot of clay, that distinguish the Castelnuovo Berardenga region of Chianti Classico. The finish is dry and long, but there is plenty of sweet earth, dark fruit, plum and balanced cherry in the mix.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (90% Sangiovese and the rest Merlot) takes on more spiced layers of smoke, cedar, menthol, and blackberry. It is full-bodied, with snappy acidity and fine tannins, and is noted with redcurrant, orange zest, tea leaf, and clove. Hold another year or two and drink 2025-2035.

Winemaker Description 

A balanced bouquet of wild red berries and floral violet notes. This Chianti has a mélange of dryness and great freshness, with soft tannins and a medium body. The lingering finish of berries on the palate is pleasant and smooth.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Eric Asimov - The New York Times - The Pour October 23, 2024 | Lamole (pronounced LA-mo-lay) is a sub-zone within the commune of Greve-in-Chianti in Chianti Classico, where the high elevation encourages wines of finesse and elegance. This bottle, from Lamole di Lamole, is straight and to the point, a little more concentrated than a Chianti Classico normale and delightful to drink but simpler than some of the better bottles.

Winemaker Description 

Vin Santo is a historic Tuscan sweet wine served on holidays, important occasions and shared at convivial gatherings. The grapes are left to dry for months, as tradition dictates, then gently pressed.

Fermentation and aging take place over a period of at least 2 years in small oak casks resulting in a dessert wine with natural residual sugars. Pairs perfectly with desserts and all varieties of blue cheese.