1 | Wine | Red Blend, Tuscany, 91 to 95

"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."

"This is really beautiful and balanced with refined tannins and a focused, beautiful ripe cherry and raspberry fruit. Long and supper silky. Better in 2014 but so delicious now. Best NC ever from Argiano"

"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 Il Borgo flows across the palate with sweet dark red cherries, tobacco, flowers and spices. This intriguing blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its silky personality and long finish. All the elements come together nicely in the glass. The 2009 is a harmonious, sleek wine to drink over the next 10-12 years."

"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 2007 Guado al Tasso screams of Bolgheri. Sweet grilled herbs, mocha, spices and black cherry jam are woven into a generous, expansive frame. There is a wonderful sense of richness and warmth to the fruit that carries through to the round harmonious finish, where clean, minerally notes add freshness. This is simply gorgeous today, but it is young, and the oak needs to integrate. Still, it is impossible not to admire the 2007 Guado al Tasso."

"The 2008 Tignanello is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. The 2008 isn’t a huge or obvious Tignanello, rather it is a wine that impresses for its sublime elegance and precision. Understated layers of fruit caress the palate like cashmere in this impeccable, soft wine. There is not a hard edge to be found. Black cherries, tobacco, smoke and licorice are some of the notes that come through on the finish. The flavor profile is decidedly on the dark side, but the wine’s structure is medium in body and intensity. In 2008 the Tignanello has more energy, focus and length than the Solaia. It is a fabulous achievement!"

"The 2008 Guado al Tasso is once again fabulous. In fact, it may be Tuscany’s most improved wine over the last few years. Firm, vibrant tannins support expressive layers of dark fruit, plums, cherries, sage, espresso and mocha. The wine shows fabulous detail and nuance in a translucent, totally seductive style, with tons of focus, drive and verve. It is a striking wine that will be a joy to follow over the coming years."

"The 2010 Perlato del Bosco explodes from the glass with the energy and sheer power that is typical of the year. Dark red berries, licorice and smoke are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. There is a sense of underlying tension here that is palpable, and that gives the wine much of its focus. This is a great vintage for Perlato del Bosco."