Tuscany Wine

Producer Description 

Neil and Maria Empson have always had a passion for the Chianti region in Tuscany. In 1988, they decided to act on that passion and founded their own winery, Toscolo, to make Chianti. Even the winery’s name is a homage to Tuscany; Toscolo is an old Italian Renaissance word for “Tuscan Boy.” The Empsons chose their friend and top enologist Franco Bernabei to style the wines with Neil himself, and they worked tirelessly to make sure that Toscolo truly represented the region they loved so much. 

The finest vineyards were chosen from the region’s major Chianti terroirs and the Empson’s made sure o find and use only state-of-the-art facilities and a great team. Neil and Franco chose to craft the wines using traditional vinification with a well-balanced use of wood. 

The entire Chianti range was aimed at combining fruit and finesse with that essential “bite” that makes these wines particularly food-friendly and versatile. Maria also played a major role in Toscolo’s creation. An artist who went on to the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Maria personally designed Toscolo’s ultra-classic packaging.

The 2022 Toscolo Chianti is 100% Sangiovese. Brilliant ruby in color, this forward styled Sangiovese is supple, fruity and flavorful on the palate, with appealing balance.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Wine Spectator 92 Points | A racy version, this boasts black cherry, blueberry, violet and iron flavors. A firm line of tannins works in concert with the acidity, while flashes of Mediterranean scrub peek through. Mouthwatering finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2032.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | A bright ruby color, the 2021 Chianti Classico is expressive on opening with aromas of grenadine, candied red flowers, orange peel, and wet stones. Medium-bodied, it’s linear and graceful, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a clean finish. A very charming wine, it’s prime for drinking over the next few years.

Winemaker Description 

The Chianti Classico has a vivid ruby color and a strong nose of fresh red fruit with hints of cherry. This is a well-structured wine with a fruity finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling 95 Points | Lots of bark, mushroom and forest-flower aromas with crushed cherries. Complex. Medium body with lovely acid tension and a racy and pretty finish. Very fine tannins. Lots of energy here.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A blast of pure cherry fruit erupts from the glass, with iron, tobacco and spice notes adding complexity. Lively and balanced, showing a chalky feel to its tannins on the lingering finish. 

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | The Poggio Antico 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has a pretty bouquet with a unique set of aromas that recall dried cherries with hints of rose potpourri or fragrant acacia wood. Those delicate floral notes give lift and energy to the bouquet. The only distraction is the 15% alcohol content. Otherwise, this wine is a good example of a classic vintage.

Decanter 93 Points | Poggio Antico’s high-altitude vineyards are almost dead centre in the appellation. They are characterised by constant breezes – both from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and Monte Amiata to the southeast – as well as significant diurnal temperature differences. Very fragrant and animated, this brings together scents of Mediterranean forest, pine and garden-fresh mint with cooler juniper and pepper notes. Very smooth and polished, the palate sports almost a glossy sheen. It is deliciously plump and weighted with layers of ripe, macerated cherry countered by chinotto bitters. There is more tension coming from the tangy acid than the soft tannins. Finishes with cinnamon spice.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Ventolaio’s 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of exceptional quality, made exclusively of the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Intense ruby red in color with complex aromas of cherries, red plums, dark chocolate, cappuccino, tobacco, vanilla and savory spice. Full bodied yet elegantly structured, with rich fruit and robust tannins on the hearty finish. A complex red that can easily accompany the best of Tuscan cooking. Pair it with rich, flavorful meals such as pasta, red meat, aged cheeses and wild game.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Danielle Callegari of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | The nose is savory and smoky, with aromas of fresh tar, hot coffee and pepper, plus a touch of sweet cherry tomato for balance. That fruit note stays simultaneously sweet, vegetal and earthy on the palate, even as undertones of bitter earth create a restrained overall feel.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

James Suckling 94 Points | Plenty of ripe and fresh fruit with citrus and rose aromas that follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a bright, vivid finish. Hints of orange-peel and light pie-crust flavors in the aftertaste.

Kerin O'Keefe of the Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Aromas of black-skinned berries, new leather and spice shape the nose. The chewy palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco and vanilla alongside polished tannins. Drink 2023–2031.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 95 Points | A beautiful red with cedar, mushroom and cherry character, as well as hints of sandalwood. It’s medium-bodied and very polished with loveliness and finesse that comes through clearly. A wine to drink young, but will age very nicely.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | A rich red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a touch shy on opening before revealing aromas of cherry pie, a hint of blue fruit coming through with violets, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pop of angular texture, chalky tannins, and a clean, lovely, tapered finish. This exceptional wine from Banfi offers a lot of purity and finesse.

Winemaker Description 

A rich and elegant Brunello, both in structure and in olfactory expression. Brilliant ruby red with garnet-colored reflections, on the nose the aroma is sweet and fruity, the hints of fresh red fruit stand out, which combine perfectly with the more complex notes of licorice and pipe tobacco. The structure is powerful, and the palate is pleasantly enveloped by a consistent tannic texture, well balanced by a pleasant acidity. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential.

It pairs particularly well with rich and tasty dishes. Perfect as a meditation wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Danielle Callegari of the Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | The nose starts with a balance between mixed berries and an herbaceous earthiness, then a hint of chocolate emerges. The palate is laden with cherries and blackberries, but also has a more metallic earthiness that's highlighted by dusty, chalky tannins and buoyant acid. 

Winemaker Description 

Maggiolo Chianti Classico is a taste of the joyful sunshine of our land. The name of this soft and tasty wine comes from the image of the iris, a typical flower of the Lamole area that dots the fields in the month of May at the height of its splendor. We can feel it in the enveloping sensations and in the sweet and caressing sounds that it can give us with every sip.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Falstaff 90 Points | Dark, bright ruby red with brightening edges. On the nose, ripe wild berries, milk chocolate, also shows floral hints, dense. Fresh on the palate, with clear, rich fruit and a compact body, also shows fine savoriness and firm drive, with a slight after-dry finish.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Wines made from the Sangiovese grape are well adapted to good basic food pairings and serve a very useful purpose at the dinner table, especially one that is as well made as Ventolaio’s 2021 Sentiero del Fante. Dark, savory fruit greets the nose with welcome fanfare and aromatic depth. Rich yet energetic in the mouth, with dark cherry fruit and Tuscan spice is at the center of attention with that certain balance and expressive complexity that tastefully engages what’s on the table with delicious agility. It’s a natural with pizza and pasta, but don’t be afraid to get creative; this is a wine that will enhance a spectrum of flavors and textures. This is what Sangiovese does at its best!
Bart Hopkins

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 97 Points |  A bright magenta/ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is floral and expressive with aromas of wild roses, raspberry liqueur, blood orange, and fresh pine. Medium-bodied, it’s graceful throughout, with refined tannins, even, mouthwatering acidity, and a salty finish. It keeps you coming back for more and is going to benefit from at least another year in bottle. Drink 2025-2040.

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.

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.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | The wines of Petra are consistently some of the most hedonistically delicious Tuscan blends. It’s always love at first sip! Rich and velvety with a lovely aromas of earthy blackberries, licorice, baking spice and melted chocolate. In the mouth the flavors expand with expressive complexity, with supple, caressing tannins on the long finish. Pure Tuscan pleasure!

Winemaker Description 

Near the ancient village of Suvereto, home to the majestic oaks that produce cork (sughero) on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia, looking out over the Tyrrhenian Sea: it is here, nestled in the spectacular nature of the Maremma region, that the magic of Petra emerges.

Merlot 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Cabernet Franc 10% e Sangiovese 15%

Bright ruby red. On nose it reveals fresh aromas of black cherries, violets, blueberries, peonies, mineral hints and nuances of earthy shrub. The taste is fresh and pleasantly fruity, with gentle, well-tailored tannins.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino is surprising in its freshness, considering the warmth of the vintage, and speaks to the cooler, northern-facing exposition of the estate. It is refined with ripe red cherry, raspberry, anise, and incense and is fresh with cherry fruit, warming spices, macchia, and herbes de Provence. It is ripe though it maintains a medium frame, with well-managed tannins and balanced acidity. It is a lovely and charming wine and is rather approachable now. Drink 2024-2040.

Monica Lerner of The Wine Advocate writes 96 Points | A delicately sweet note of fresh summer cherry is a precursor to budding complexity and a very articulate bouquet that opens quickly in the glass. Immediately pleasing fruit is a characteristic of the 2017 growing season that had above average temperatures and drought throughout the summer. The resistant 2017 Brunello di Montalcino takes on these challenges without missing a beat. The wine's celebrated acidity and its small berry nuances remain intact. The tannins are silky and the wine's flavors fade slowly even after you have taken your last sip.

James Suckling 96 Points | Sweet berry, orange peel, cedar, bark and forest flower aromas follow through to a medium to full body, with linear and fine tannins and a crunchy undertone. It’s very subtle and fresh for a 2017. Crisp and vivid. It’s refined and acid-driven. Needs three to four years more to soften. Try after 2026.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 92 Points | A rich, fruity red with plum, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied with lots of round tannins and a savory finish.

Producer Description 

Vernaccia di San Gimignano represents the “Tuscany in White”, a century-old wine and the first DOC of Italy. Great care is taken to harvest the Vernaccia only when it has achieved complete physiological ripeness. The harvest is done entirely by hand and careful selection takes place in the vineyards before the grapes are transported to the winery on dry ice in order to preserve freshness until pressing. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.

The nose is expressive with orange rind and mineral also showing hints of lime. The palate is stone fruit with a balanced mid palate finishing with fresh acidity.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A rich, savory Brunello di Montalcino that is already drinking perfectly. Powerful yet elegant with maraschino cherry and ripe black fruit flavors accented with roasted herbs, wild rose petals, leather sandalwood and earthy spice. The tannins are ripe and supple , with good depth of flavor and a robust finish.
Bart Hopkins.

Expert Review

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is primarily savory, with aromas of coffee, herbs and soil, but also has the fresh gleam of wild cherries. On the palate, an emergent orange-peel element bolsters the cherry note, at least until a bitter finish of dark chocolate and espresso. Spice blazes behind dense, grippy tannins. (2018).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jane Eanson 100 Points |  Another great vintage in Tuscany, following a run of exceptional years, and as you might exect from this estate, we are here right at the top of what the vintage has produced. Expect to find softly grilled and smoked.

The Wine Advocate 100 Points |  Here it is: A quintessential Sassicaia that represents the excellence of the vintage and also respects the unique taste profile of this distinguished Tuscan blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The Tenuta San Guido... 

James Button of Decanter writes 99-100 Points | In 2021, ‘we had a nicely paced harvest... surely a very fortunate vintage for us, for Bolgheri,’ said Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta at the launch in London of the 2021 vintage of Sassicaia. Welcome rain in mid-August came at just the right time to save the harvest, and production ended up being slightly higher than in 2020. Around eight to 10 separate vinifications were made, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and spontaneous malo. The wines were racked to second- and third-use barriques in December 2021, then racked into a mixture of new and used barriques in March 2022. The last step was to make the final blend in stainless tanks, where the wine underwent micro-oxygenation before bottling and further maturation in bottle. Rich dark fruit and herb aromatics are pockmarked by blueberry and petrichor, leading into an intense and vertical palate that's super-fresh with a delightful breezy, saline character. Textured, integrated tannins emphasise the refinement of Sassicaia, showing just a touch of youthful dustiness. Tangy, bright black, blue and red berry fruits overlay underlying hints of dark chocolate and forest undergrowth in a remarkably precise fashion, with pomegranate and a stony minerality surfacing on the mid-palate. 2021 demonstrates lovely sapidity of fruit along with that characteristic freshness and lightness of step, finishing long and poised. Superb.

Kerin O`Keefe writes 99 Points | The gorgeous 2021 Sassicaia stuns with its class, extreme elegance, energy and depth. It’s remarkably fragrant, featuring enticing aromas of cassis, cedar blue flower, exotic spice and a whiff of sea breeze. The delicious palate is focused and loaded with finesse, delivering ripe raspberry, black currant, blood orange, star anise a hint of coffee bean accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity gives it racy tension and provides impeccable balance and serious aging potential. Drink 2029–2041.

Winemaker Desription

Ugo Contini Bonacossi is a natural wine producer located in a small village in the heart of Tuscany, Roccalbegna. The labels I’ve designed are all about dreamy and fantastic illustrations that take inspiration from the icon of Bonacossi: the hedgehog. From the characterization of the hedgehog as the main character, I’ve illustrated dreamy tales around him and Roccalbegna’s environment.

In Ughetto, a red wine, Ugo – the owner of the business and winemaker – and his hedgehog alter ego are staring at the moon/sun in a dichotomy between day and night. 

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. This wine takes roots on the beautiful and romantic Tuscan HIlls. This smooth, fruity and juicy wine will take you one step closer to Tuscany.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The San Felice 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio (made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% complementary indigenous grapes) stands out due to its velvety richness and expressive flavor profile. The wine delivers measured intensity with bright purple and black fruits, a good sense of energy and drive, and some lingering spiciness on the close. It is rich but not heavy.

James Suckling 93 Points | This is spiced and racy with dark cherries, currants, savory herbs, walnuts and sandalwood. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, powdery tannins, juicy acidity and a mineral backbone on the palate. Bright and fruit-forward in the finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

100% Sangiovese from hillside vineyards located at between 270-320 meters. The average age of the vines is 15 years old. La Gerla Rosso spends six monhts in tank, then one year in Slavonian oak (large casks of 50hl) and another six months in bottle before being released.

This wine is obtained from declassified Brunello, which nonetheless follows the strict production regulations, shows characteristics of freshness and typical aromas of quality young wines, fruity and vinous notes blend with more complex autumn leaves and violet.

Pairs well with pasta, grilled pork and red meat. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck | Youthful ruby-hued, the 2022 Rosso Di Montalcino shows ripe aromas of crushed berries, a hint of blue fruit, pine, and candied flowers. Mid-weight, it's light on the palate, with dusty tannins and a modest finish. It's an attractive and simple Rosso for drinking over the next 2-3 years.

Winemaker Description

For this wine Cecchi has focused on its immediacy, here Sangiovese is interpreted with a moderate structure and pleasant crispness.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points: “It brings forth a floral bouquet, showing subtle elegance at the start. Give it a few moments and the wine hits on all cylinders with integrated oak, bright fruit, black cherry, pomegranate seed, iris root and dustings of oak spice that never overshadow the fruit. The wine is refreshingly uncomplicated but shows refined nuance instead. This is the proverbial understated elegance that Gaja achieves so beautifully. It closes with lovely acidity and dusty tannins.” Monica Larner

Vinous Media 94 Points: “The 2021 Magari is the most elegant Magari I can remember tasting. Vibrant, nuanced and medium in body, the 2021 possesses notable energy from start to finish. All the elements are so nicely balanced. Dark cherry, mocha, dried herbs, licorice and menthol are finely sculpted in this super-expressive Bolgheri red. Terrific.” Antonio Galloni

Wine Spectator 93 Points: "Tobacco, licorice and cedar aromas and flavors frame the core of black currant and black cherry fruit in this intense, vibrant red. An iron element emerges too, as this builds to the lingering finish, with fine balance and a lingering aftertaste." Bruce Sanderson 

Magari is an Italian expression having different meanings “If only it was true…!”, “Maybe…”. It carries a sort of irony which leads people to smile, without showing off the great commitment and determination associated to the Ca’Marcanda project.

Purplish red in color, the nose presents a wonderful mixture of black fruits such as plums and blackcurrants. Notes of black tea, and hints of aromatic herbs commonly found in the Mediterranean like rosemary and thyme, lead to a structured mouthfeel with tannins that are denser and more elegant reflecting the style of the vintage all culminating with a salinity representative of a classic Bolgheri style. 

Winemaker Description

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure. It is sourced from three different vineyard sites of various exposition on the hill of Montalcino. This will be ready to drink a touch earlier and be great to check in on over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.

93 Points Wine Spectator | Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 1,500 cases imported.

91 Points Decanter | Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely. A delightful jumping off point to Val di Suga’s single-vineyard offerings, which COO and winemaker Andrea Lonardi has been refining since 2012.

Winemaker Description

Lucente is the result of a careful selection of the estate’s vineyards that are particularly suited for the production of a fruity and very pleasant wine. Like Luce, it is made from Sangiovese and Merlot, which prevails in the blend.

• Lucente 2020 shows a brilliant ruby red color. The nose is rich in black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by a light balsamic and pan brioché note. The palate is soft supported by a nice freshness, with enveloping tannins and a long fruity aftertaste.
  

Expert Review

Critic Notes

James Suckling 91 Points | Lovely sweet berry and orange zest aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with crunchy fruit and a stony undertone.

Wine Advocate 90 Points | Showing an immediately light and bright personality, the 2021 Chianti Classico Brolio is an easy blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino. It boasts an attractive, punchy approach with plenty of cherry, blue flower and pressed violet, followed by subtle mineral shadings. The wine is simple, but classic.

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso is an intense ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit with sweet spice and toasted oak. On the palate, pure flavors and refined tannins lead to a persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but also has great aging potential. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Robert Parker | The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity.

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

95 Points Wine Spectator | Packed with exuberant blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruit, this red shows the expressive character of the vintage. Just when you think it's too flamboyant, the solid structure reins it in. Shows excellent balance and length, with a touch of lavender and wild herbs on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Winemaker Description

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG “Zac” is 100% Sangiovese from the Gugliaie vineyard (2.5 ha). It is dedicated to Anna Corsini, the sister of Prince Tommaso and it represents the new challenges of the winery.

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | A blend of organically farmed Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this has aromas of forest floor, blue flower, sandalwood and crushed mint. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the savory palate features dried Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and black tea set against taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2028. (2018).