2019 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  I think this is what used to be the "Tan" label.  Ruby in color, darker at the  core.  The nose is initially tight but opens to show dust, cherries, anise and spice.  Light bodied.  Medium tannins.  Slightly bitter cherries on the palate.  Good acidity.  Good finish.  This is a fine CCR and reasonably priced.  It would be a nice mid-week pizza wine.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2005 La Collina dei Lecci Brunello di Montalcino La Tanuta, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a solid Brunello that is at peak.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, cherries with some forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  There is some complexity.  Better with food at this point.  A nice match with a plate of mushroom pasta.  Drink up over the next few years.  

2004 Cafaggio Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  At age twenty it is fully mature and seemingly at peak.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries,  dried cherries, spice, forest floor and char.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has some complexity.  Fresh and dried cherries, tobacco, forest floor and char.  Good finish.  This is better with food.  It would work well with a nice plate of pasta.  Drink up.

2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

It is always a real treat to drink this wine.  The price has gone up quite a bit in recent years but for the quality, it is still fairly priced.  One hundred percent Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful with black cherries, cherries, sandalwood, black olives and spice.  Full bodied.  Still very firm tannins.  On the palate, this is showing some early maturity with flavors of black cherries, cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Long finish.  This still has another ten to fifteen years on it for well stored bottles.  Delicious on its own, this would

2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Gorgeous wine.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries, spice, tea leaves and slight worn leather.  Full bodied.  Strong acidity.  Light to  medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Flavors of cherries, forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This begs to be drunk with food.  Pasta with a nice meat sauce and some cheese and bread would be perfect.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2010 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

Impressive showing for this wine which seems to be just getting close to peak.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, forest floor and balsamic.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this has layers of complexity.  Cherries, dried cherries, dried leaves, and spice.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Lovely on its own, but better with food.  What's your favorite mushroom pasta dish?  It went well with a creamy mushroom pasta.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2021 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Alie Ammiraglia Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is an intriguing blend of Syrah and Vermentino made into a Rose from Tuscany.  Deep salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with cranberries and some strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet on the palate.  Mostly cherries and some strawberries.  Nice finish.  This is a light and refreshing wine but the  Syrah gives it just a touch of seriousness.  Nice on its own and very food friendly.  Drink now.  

2004 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This seemed to be at peak.  Ruby in color with a touch of bricking, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, some dried cherries, slight sandalwood and tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  A good backbone of acidity.  On the palate, some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cherries, sandalwood and char.  Nice finish.  This needs food to really shine.  It would work great with pasta or pizza and I enjoyed it with Eggplant Rotini.  Drink up.  

2016 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Very nice showing for this wine if on the young side.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, anise, slight tea leaves, and a bit of char.  Medium tannins but smooth.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, ripe, black cherry fruit with some anise and smoke.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  Drinking well now and should continue for ten to fifteen more years.  It was excellent with Eggplant Rotini.  

2009 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

What a great wine.  Unfortunately, the price has caught up to the quality on these, but it is still worth the occasional splurge.  I had originally tried this on release at the winery, it has really developed nicely since then.  I believe it is 100% Sangiovese, but could not verify that.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black cherries, baking spice, some dark chocolate, and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black cherries with slight forest floor and plenty of char.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is great on its

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