1 | Wine | Tuscany, 91 to 95, 2009

"The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is striking. Succulent dark cherries, flowers, mint and licorice burst from the glass in this exuberant, sexy Riserva. The tannins are nearly buried by the opulent fruit, but the wine retains great balance, while avoiding any sense of heaviness. The 2009 captures the heat and richness of the year while never abandoning its classic sense of structure. This is a superb wine from Monsanto with plenty of upside potential. Sweet floral notes add an elegant, feminine touch to the finish."

"Laced with black cherry, plum and spice flavors, this generous red firms up on the finish. Balanced, with accents of tobacco and black tea lingering."

"Bright red-ruby. Ripe aromas of sweet red cherries macerated in alcohol, cedar, cinnamon and pepper. Suave and seamless, with soft, almost-overripe flavors of redcurrant jam, red plum syrup, stewed red plum and tobacco leaf. A very distinctive and much creamier than usual Tignanello, finishing with supple tannins and excellent length. Obviously the product of a warmer year, and though this outstanding Tignanello is a touch less refined than some recent standout vintages, it's hard to argue with its sweet, soft style and early drinking appeal. No need to cellar this too long."

"Aromas of dark berries and cherries, with hints of spices. Full body, with velvety tannins and lots of plums and chocolate character. Lovely soft texture."

"The 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano caresses the palate with dark plums, smoke, licorice and spices, all in a soft, seamless style that is ideal for drinking over the next few years. This is a lovely, beautifully balanced wine."

"The 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano presents gorgeous balance and refinement from the very first taste. Firm tannins provide the backdrop as the 2009 Vino Nobile opens up in the glass. Sweet dark cherries, menthol and licorice are woven together nicely in this firm, harmonious Vino Nobile. This is a great showing from Caterina Dei."

"The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs. The 2009 impresses for its mid-palate density and sheer power. This is a great showing. The 2009 can be enjoyed today, but it is rather muscular, and is probably best suited for aging a few years. This is a terrific showing. A recent bottle of the 1995 was stunning in its beauty."

"In a darker, balsamic vein, this red evokes tar, black cherry, underbrush and tobacco flavors. They're all held together by the dense, fine tannins. Oak spice emerges on the taut finish."

"The 2009 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso impresses for its richness and sheer power. Mocha, sweet spices, plums, blackberries and herbs wrap around the palate as this intense wine shows off its pedigree. Layers of flavor build to the deep, intensely satisfying finish. The 2009 is complete and harmonious from the very first taste."

"The 2009 Galatrona is a beautifully centered wine. It shows terrific energy, freshness and vibrancy from start to finish. Cassis, blackberries, mint, spices and new leather are all woven together nicely in the 2009. Firm yet well-integrated tannins support the finish. Although quite overt today, the 2009 appears to have the structure to age well for a number of years. The 2009 is a serious wine with a bright future. Both bottles I tasted were immensely pleasing"