1 | Wine | Sangiovese, Tuscany Misc, 91 to 95

"The 2010 Rosso di Montalcino captures the essence of this great Montalcino vintage. An elegant, expressive bouquet gives way to layers of vibrant fruit in this energetic, totally polished Rosso. After several years of experimenting with a more accessible style of Rosso, Il Poggione has moved back to making the firm, structured style of Rosso for which the estate is famous."

"The 2006 I Sodi di San Niccolo is fabulous. Beautifully delineated aromatics meld into a breathtaking array of dark fruit, crushed rocks, smoke, tar, minerals and flowers in this totally thrilling Tuscan red. The fruit completely saturates the palate, while persistent notes of crushed rocks and all things mineral round things out. I love the way Malvasia Nera confers darkness, richness and power to the Sangioveto, but without abandoning a pure-bred Tuscan expression of sheer class. I Sodi has a track record of developing beautifully in bottle and I have no doubt that will be the case here."

"Pure, superripe aromas of red cherry, violet, iodine and nutmeg. Superrich, highly concentrated and seamless, with densely packed flavors of raspberry, dark plum and marzipan. Finishes creamy-rich and explosively long, with a pretty violet note. This was so good I really had trouble letting the glass go. It's also the only time I can remember Fontalloro outclassing Rancia (of which I am a huge fan) by such a wide margin, something I had noticed even when tasting barrel samples of these two wines in the estate's cellar two years ago. I'd wait a good five years on this one, then enjoy it for another two decades. Proof positive that sangiovese is one of the world's great grape varieties."

"Firm yet well-integrated tannins support expressive sweet red cherries, freshly cut flowers and mint. The 2009 is a highly attractive, pointed Montevertine that oozes class and elegance. Clean, saline notes inform the beautifully pointed, delineated finish. This is far from an easygoing 2009. The wine still needs time to fully come together."

"I prefer the 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro with the gold label, however, very elegant in its aromas and flavors of cranberries and raspberries, tobacco, and violets, vigorous and sustained on the mid-palate and finish and with tasty, textured tannins on the close."

"The 2007 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana is a huge extroverted wine bursting with wild dark cherries, grilled herbs and tobacco. The intense, opulent style is not for the faint of heart. Still, this is a beautifully balanced wine with notable intensity and a persistent finish."