1 | Wine | Tuscany, 86 to 90, 2011

"Notes of blackberry and black cherry are accented by tobacco and spice in this concentrated red, which is fresh and lively, with a firm finish."

"Bright light red. Enticing aromas of red cherry, cinnamon, flowers and licorice. Juicy and vibrant in the mouth, with harmonious acidity framing the red fruit, spice and floral flavors. Finishes long and crisp. Great entry-level wine."

"Bright straw-yellow. Pure aromas and flavors of lemon and white peach, with a hint of fresh herbs. Spicy and ripe in the mid-palate, then finishes firm and dry, with building tannins. Doesn't have quite the focus for a higher score."

"Bright red. Perfumed aromas of red berries and violet, complicated by cinnamon and almond flower. Juicy and bright on the palate, with precise strawberry and redcurrant flavors lifted by lively acidity. Finishes long and fresh, with ripe tannins and lingering floral perfume. Not the last word in complexity or concentration, but an absolutely delicious wine, one of the best Rossos by Avignonesi in some time."

"Fresh citrus and herb aromas. Classically dry and linear, with intense flavors of lemon, quince and fresh herbs carrying through to the long, saline finish. I like this wine's purity and sharply chiseled delivery of aromas and flavors. A standout entry-level vernaccia."

"Fragrantly sweet, floral aromas of red berries and sweet spices. Fresh and clean in the mouth, with mouthwatering, mineral-driven red fruit flavors. The youthfully chewy tannins are perhaps a tad drying, but this is nonetheless one of the better young Barco Reales I've tried. Another year in the bottle may help it develop more flesh and volume."

"Apple, peach and grapefruit notes mingle in this rich, fresh and balanced white."

"The 2011 Chianti is another terrific, value-priced red. Sweet cherries, flowers and spices are some of the notes that jump from the glass in this vinous, fruit-forward Chianti. The 2011 is an excellent choice for drinking over the next year or two."

"The 2011 Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a tasty, value-priced white. There is nothing fussy or complex here, just a good glass of varietally true Vermentino at a price that is within reach of most budgets. This is an excellent choice for by the case house-wine purchases."

"Deep ruby-red. Begins with slightly reduced aromas of dark plum, violet and licorice, along with intense notes of underbrush and cloves, but brightens with aeration. Densely packed but youthfully imploded, with a saline quality to the very expressive dark fruit flavors. Finishes pure, clean and long, with no shortage of energy and plenty of early-drinking appeal."