Tuscany

• Brunello di Montalcino
• Chianti

There are so many truly great values in 2015/2016 Chiant's that this one was a bit disappointing.  That is a bit harsh, as this is an excellent wine.  But for the price and pedigree, more was expected (which is perhaps a bit unfair).  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight coffee and a bit of forest floor.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, ripe fruit.  Not the level of acidity that I come to expect in chianti, but some.  Light tannins.  Cherry fruit with underlying dust and earthiness.  Good finish.  Perhaps this is a bit shut down at this p

Always an outstanding wine and a great value and that is true in this challenging vintage.  It is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black currants, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  Medium to full bodied.  A nice streak of acidity keeps it lively.  The fruit carries thru to the palate.  Medium tannins.  Deep if tight right now.  Good finish.  This needs a few more years to really open up (or a few hours decant) and should drink well for ten to twelve after t

Great showing for this wine.  A solid vintage and a very good producer really combined for a success.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, anise, and slight tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Ripe cherries on the palate with underlying forest floor.  Light tannins.  Lots of depth and complexity.  Also, delicious.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  Great value for a wine of this quality.  This is not yet at peak, maybe another 3 to 5 years, and then should dirnk well for ten to fifteen after that.  A great match for pasta bolognaise.  

A delightful wine that is a step or two above a entry level super Tuscan.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood, slight chocolate and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there are upfront cherries supported with nice acidity.  It broadens on the palate to a variety of cherry flavors with touch of tea leaves.  Nice finish.  This may still improve for a few years in the cellar, but in general, this should make nice drinking for the next seven to ten years.  It drinks well on its own but will work be

Pop and pour, this wine is hitting its sweet spot now.  Deep ruby in color with purple swirls.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, tea leaves and slight anise.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, there are moderate tannins.  Lots of cherry and black cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Great acidity.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but really is better with food.  Pasta is a great choice but this will work well with any meat/fowl or veggie dish.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This was my first time trying this wine and at least in this great vintage, this wine is outstanding.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, forest floor/tea leaves, char and spice.  Full bodied.  The fruit is ripe but certainly not over done.  Flavors of cherries, char over an earthy/forest floor note.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  The wine is still young and should continue to mature for another five to seven years and then will drink well for 10 more after that.  It should work great with any meat or fowl dish and of course, pizza or pasta.  This is a gr

This is a Cabernet Franc from Tuscany.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, slight floral notes and a hint of cigar box.  On the palate, this is ripe and a big wine.  Despite being 14 years old, it still shows medium tannins and fresh fruits.  Black cherries, some blueberries, chocolate and tobacco.  Nice balance.  Smooth finish.  This can compete with Cab Francs from anywhere.  It will easily do another decade.  A nice match for a steak or roast.  

it's always a treat to drink Solaia, especially with a few years on it.  It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc.  At age 12, this seems to ageing a bit faster than many vintages, but that puts it in a great place now.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, chocolate and slight tarragon.  On the palate, this has such wonderful balance.  A bit on the  voluptuous side but enough acidity to balance it off.  Cassis  and black cherries layered with an earthy/roasted herb quality.  Complex.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now, it sh

This is drinking well right now.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, sandalwood, dried cherries and slight anise.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The cherries carry thru with an underlying minerality.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks better with food and went well with home grilled pizza.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese which makes it a "Super Tuscan".  It is, however, not expensive and truly a great value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, baking spices and slight woodiness.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  A nice backbone of acidity.  It has a soft but inviting texture.  Delicious red berry fruit with underlying dry earthiness.  Medium finish.  This drinks great on its own but is better with food.  A great "pizza wine".  It should be good for another five to seven years.