2010 Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is drinking well now at about at peak.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight root beer, spice and forest floor.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Flavors of cherries, slight dried cherries and some earthy notes.  Good finish.  This needs food to come together.  A nice plate of your  favorite pasta would be perfect.  Drink over the next few years.

2022 Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiore, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

After trying the "Tradizionale" VdSG from this producer which is aged on its skins, it seemed appropriate to try this version.  It is also made from 100% organic Vernaccia grapes but this is made from free run juice which sees very little skin contact.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some citrus with minerality and a hint of peach.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, minerals and citrus.  Clean.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own and very food friendly as well with lighter foods.  A nice choice with grilled fish.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2022 Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Tradizionale, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

Fascinating wine.  Made from Vernaccia grapes.  This is an organic white wine in which the grapes were macerated on their skins.  Not quite an orange wine, it looked more like a salmon-pink rosé with deep golden hues.   Clear and bright.  The nose has some hay, some light oxidized tones, and some almonds.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is deep.  Flavors of slight citrus, minerality and a slight bitter (in a good way) note.  Good finish.  This wine needs food.  It would pair well with Cinnamon Risotto.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Tenuta Calimaia, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Like Chianti, Vino Nobile wines are mostly Sangiovese grapes and from Tuscany.  The best of them compare with many of the good Chianti's and the price is often less.  Frescobaldi (a famous Chianti producer) expanded into this area by buying this property in 2021.  This wine was made prior to that but recently released by Frescobaldi.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, known locally as Prugnolo Gentile, and 10% other red grape varieties.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, sandalwood, spice and slight sour cherries.  Medium bodied.  Medium tan

2016 Società Agricola Sante Marie Colleoni Rosso di Montalcino

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a Kermit Lynch wine.  Pale ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is interesting with cherries, some black cherries, black olives and spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, cherry fruit.  This drinks easy and is a nice quaff.  Better with food this is a great "pizza" wine.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2020 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This was a bit different than a bottle of this I recently opened.  Both were excellent, but this one had an issue or two.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, slight anise and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Great acidity.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, this has cherries, slight black cherries, celery and spice.  The green note gets bigger on the finish.  Overall, this is a very good wine, but the green streak is  a bit disappointing.  Still, this wine is made to drink with food and that should help out that issue.  Pappardelle al R

2013 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a traditionally styled BdM.  Wonderful vintage.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves, sandalwood, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Excellent acidity.  On the palate, this is  lively.  Flavors of cherries, spice, forest floor and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but really needs food to shine.  A plate of your favorite pasta would be great.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2022 Tenuta Famiglia Cecchi Val Delle Rose Vermentino Litorale, Italy, Tuscany, Morellino di Scansano, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 100% Vermentino from Tuscany.  Pale yellow/hay in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lots of minerality, some peach and some "sea air".  Light bodied.  Good acidity.  Clean.  On the palate, this is very refreshing.  Mostly mineral drive with a touch of peach on the finish.  Perfect on the patio on a hot afternoon/early evening.  This is nice on its own and will work with sea food or lighter foods.  It would work well with a variety of appetizers and cheeses.  Drink over the next year or two.  Good value.

2018 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, sandalwood and tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  This is young but reasonably accessible already.  On the palate, this is concentrated and deep.  Flavors of black cherries, slight anise and slight forest floor.  Long finish.  No harm drinking now but better to wait three to five years and then drink for ten to twelve after that.  A great match for Pasta Bolognaise.  

2022 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Poggio Ai Ginepri, Italy, Toscana IGT, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a Bordeaux blend from Tuscany.  It is comprised of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, mike chocolate, spice and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, cherries, fresh cut oak, chocolate and a bit of funk.  Long finish.  This is a great "Bordeaux" styled wine (you can also call it a Super Tuscan) for the money.  It is drinking well now but may still improve with some cellaring.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own b

Pages