Italy

Possessing refreshing acidity, mineral depth and finely integrated tannins, from its time spent in oak botti, the palate is sumptious, elegant and refined. 

{***}
{region}Tuscany{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{***}

Located in Prosecco’s Conegliano region of the Veneto lie the 60 hectares of Masottina’s vineyards. Owned by the Dal Bianco family since 1946, they switched from being a négociant to vineyard owner in the 1960s. They produce a classic expression of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. With fine, persistent bubbles, this is pale straw yellow with greenish highlights. The nose is intense, fruity with the rich scent of apple, lemon and grapefruit. It has a pronounced aroma of wisteria in bloom and acacia flowers. The palate has a pleasant acidity and fresh flavour. Full-bodied, and lingering, a soft finish rounds off this crowd-pleasing Prosecco.

{***}{region}Veneto{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}{***}

Luminous straw-yellow. Tangy aromas of nectarine, pineapple, apple, minty herbs and lime, complicated by a bright mineral undertone. Very precise, vibrant and dense, offering floral, captivating flavors of white stone fruit, pineapple, crushed rock and spice. The compelling fruity acidity frames and carries the extremely lifted and complex flavors through the very long finish, which features lingering notes of lemon verbena, jasmine and minerals. Along with the great 2010, this is the best Trebbiano d’Abruzzo from Valentini since his also outstanding 2008. Drink now till 2033

{***}{region}Abruzzo{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}
{ratings}         
 []Vinous:: 94/100                                                                                                        
{ratings}{***}

This celebrated single-vineyard wine follows through with many of the attractive themes presented in the base Brunello, only you get more robust intensity and power here. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is slightly more angular and edgy. You don't get the same immediate silkiness that you find in the non-vineyard-specific alternative. This wine plays up its structure with firm tannins and solid building blocks of red fruit and spice. There is a sweet note of clove or cinnamon on the close. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Tuscany{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{ratings}         
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100
{ratings}         {***}

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous. Dark red cherries, plums, spices, leather and tobacco wrap around the palate as this dense, powerful wine starts to open up. Expressive aromatics are woven throughout, giving the 2007 a measure of polish and sophistication that is not always present in this wine when it is young. Finessed, suave tannins reinforce an impression of elegance. The 2007 can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring, but it will also age gracefully for many years. Readers who want to try the 2007 today should give the wine plenty of air, as the more refined qualities only emerge over time. When tasted next to the 2006, the 2007 shows redder tonalities of fruit and less sheer muscle. Hints of tobacco, crushed flowers and spices wrap around the sensual finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.
Antonio Galloni - 26/04/2012

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color} Red{color}           {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 95/100{ratings}        {***}

The 1998 Brunello di Montalcino, a full ruby/garnet with black highlights, its ample nose delivers aromas of sweet plums and red currant jam, chocolate, tar, and a touch of cinnamon and cloves. Sensuous with solid flavors, long and continuous, this is a dense wine with a lovely freshness on the close as well as a deceptive sense of readiness.  - Robert Parker

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1999{vintage}

{ratings}

{ratings}

   {***}

Medium-deep red. High-pitched aromas of roasted cherry, mocha, gunmetal, Cuban cigar tobacco, animal fur and oak spice; showed an explosive raspberry scent with aeration. Pure, thick and utterly suave, with very concentrated, delineated flavors of extraordinary sweetness and depth. The lush tannins are currently buried in fruit, but this highly aromatic, multidimensional Brunello has solid underlying structure. 

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1995{vintage}

{ratings}
{ratings} 

{***}

Castiglion del Bosco, one of the founding members of the ‘Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino’ established in 1967, starting producing wine in 1954. Purchased by Massimo Ferragamo in 2003, Castiglion del Bosco has been revitalised, after major investment in the vineyards and winery, and has now been restored to its position as a leading Brunello estate. The estate is located in the Val d’Orcia National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to the north west of Montalcino, near Buonconvento. Its isolated location, away from other producers and sources of pollution, makes organic cultivation possible.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1995{vintage}

{ratings}
{ratings} 

{***}

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is another super-finessed wine. Subtle floral notes meld into expressive red berries in a sumptuous Brunello that captures the essence of the vintage. The style is rich and deeply textured, but the 2007, as outstanding as it is, needs at least a few more years in bottle. Once again, finesse rules the day. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.
Antonio Galloni - 28/06/2013

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color} Red{color}           {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 96/100{ratings}        {***}

The 2012 d'Alceo is sweet, round and enveloping. Silky tannins give the 2012 much of its shape, while adding to the wine's appeal. Plum, black cherry, menthol, licorice and sweet spices wrap around the fleshy, succulent finish. Like the Sammarco, d'Alceo is a bit restrained in this vintage.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}           {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}

 [] Antonio Galloni:: 94/100

{ratings} {***}

Complex, soft and seductive nose, with concentrated aromas of wild strawberry, crushed rose petal and eucalyptus. Very juicy and expansive on the palate, with a beautiful purity of fruit, great energy and precision, elegant tannins and a lingering saline finish. Outstanding.

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{ratings}          
[]Antonio Galloni:: 92/100
{ratings}  {***}

2006 vintage produced Nebbiolo wines of great breed, intensity and longevity. None more so than the mighty 'Ca d'Morissio', whose forthright, uncompromising character and brilliance mirrors that of Mauro Mascarello, owner and winemaker at this top flight wine cantina. The fruit is sourced from the last plot of smaller bunched Michet clone Nebbiolo along the Monprivato 'bench', that's been macerated and aged for longer to give achingly intense, compact, red berry, seared meat and licorice, with stupendo sapid focus, whose energy is tightly coiled, the palate profoundly tannic and intricately woven as to be impenetrable. Whereas the rest of the Mascarello stable swoon with charm, this wine, their flagship, is defiant and in a league of its own. 

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}

{ratings}
{ratings} 

{***}

Deep ruby. Grilled herbs and coffee complicate ripe, smoky black fruits on the nose and palate. Soft and fleshy in the mouth, showing a high-pH mouth feel. The youthfully chewy, long finish features smoky tannins. One of the more successful Guado al Tassos of recent memory.
Ian D'Agata, vinous.com December 2014

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100

{ratings}

   {***}

The 2004 Guado al Tasso reveals a layered, nuanced texture filled out by the generous warmth of Bolgheri. Full-bodied and ample on the palate, it offers plenty of sweet dark fruit, licorice, Tuscan herbs and chocolate, with outstanding persistence as well as balance, which is especially evident in a mature use of oak. The 2004 is an opulent and beautifully poised Guado al Tasso that will offer much pleasure over the next decade. 

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2004{vintage}

{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100

{ratings}

   {***}

Spectacular, the 1999 Guado Al Tasso possesses sweet tannin and accessibility. Its explosive aromatics consist of smoke, licorice, espresso, chocolate, vanillin, and celestial black currants. With sensational concentration, flamboyant flavors, an opulent texture, full body, and brilliant concentration as well as delineation, it comes across as intense, balanced, pure, and rich. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1999{vintage}

{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 94/100

[]Vinous:: 93/100

{ratings}

   {***}

Since the 2010 vintage, this wine is named Francia (not Cascina Francia) to keep with the new Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (or official cru naming) in Barolo and Barbaresco. The 2012 Barolo Francia is a seductive and silky expression that flows gracefully over the palate with power and determination. The nose is expressive, and decidedly more articulate than many of the more muted wines made by neighboring estates in this warm vintage. The quality of the mouthfeel is of special interest. This beautiful Barolo already shows stunning texture, richness and integrity, despite this very early preview tasting. I tasted this wine in barrel shortly before bottling.

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color} Red{color}           {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 95/100{ratings}        {***}

The 1997 Brunello di Montalcino shows a very pretty character with pressed violets, licorice, anisette, root beer and balsam herb. There’s plenty of Brunello personality on display. The wine lacks fruit intensity, but it makes up for it with the extremely fine and polished nature of the palate. Open the bottle one or two hours before serving. Drink: 2014-2024. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1997{vintage}

{ratings}

 [] The Wine Advocate:: 92/100 

 [] Wine Spectator:: 95/100   

{ratings}

   {***}

The Asili vineyard, close to the village of Barbaresco itself, is rightly regarded as one of the ‘Grand Cru’ sites of Barbaresco, thanks to its high elevation, steep slope, and mix of stony limestone and sand. In the right hands, as here, it gives wines of great perfume, detail and immaculate balance. 2012 was both a cool and damp and then an ultimately hot year, giving wines that are darker and crunchier, yet also and approachable even when young. Bottled in August 2014, Bruno Giacosa’s version displays an intense perfume of kirsch, super strawberry compote fruit. The palate’s refined and fresh, with plenty of energy; the tannins are talc-like. Even the red fruit has a stony minerality quality to it. This is the white Label (i.e. non Riserva).
David Berry Green

Made famous, justly so, by the skill of Bruno Giacosa during the 1970s and 1980s, now new techniques in the vineyards have ensured that the Nebbiolo grapes are picked slightly earlier than previously and at optimum ripeness. Maceration times have been reduced from around 50 days to nearer 30, as a consequence of having physiologically ripe fruit from the vineyards. The fashionable, new, French 225-litre barriques are not for Giacosa: all his wine is aged in large 5,000-litre botti, though these are now French rather than Slavonian. Bruno’s wines are marvellously perfumed on the nose, and meaty and full-bodied on the palate.

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color} Red{color}           {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
 {ratings}        {***}

The 2001 Sori San Lorenzo is the richest and deepest of these 2001s. It remains cool, inward and totally implosive. Dark fruit, leather, goudron and licorice are some of the notes that begin to emerge over time. The 2001 is dazzling, but it is also very much on the muscular side and needs time to soften. I imagine it will drink beautifully for another 20 years, and that is likely to be conservative in light of the glacial pace with which the San Lorenzo ages. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034.
Antonio Galloni - 26/04/2012

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color}Red{color}                        

   {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2001{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 96/100        
{ratings} 

{***}