1 | Wine | Italy, 91 to 95 | Page 4

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is beautiful in this vintage. Layers of dark red cherries, flowers, licorice and tobacco caress the palate in this generous, expressive Brunello. The 2007 presents an intriguing combination of classic Sangiovese aromas and flavors with the generosity and radiance of the vintage."

"The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005."

"An aromatic and flavorful red, with rose, cherry, licorice, tobacco and briar notes. Both supple and vibrant, this has an elegance that belies the extremely dense tannins. Shows excellent length, with an aftertaste of fruit, underbrush and mineral."

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is beautiful. A large-scaled, opulent wine, the 2007 captures the personality of the vintage while retaining fabulous balance and proportion. Layers of dark fruit, mocha, spices and new leather build effortlessly to the huge, palate staining finish. This is a fabulous showing."

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with freshly cut flowers, violets, leather, licorice and black cherries. Firm underlying tannins lend vibrancy to the voluptuous fruit. The Casanova di Neri straight bottling – sometimes referred to as the “white label” – is made from some of the estate’s cooler sites. In 2007 the wine has more depth, fruit and overall harmony than is typically the case. Bright acidity frames the long, polished finish. In short, this is a fabulous wine from Giacomo Neri. Along with the 2006, the 2007 is one the best and most complete vintages I can remember tasting in some time. Most importantly of all, though, it is flat-out delicious."

"An overachiever in this vintage. Crushed flowers, pine, resin, menthol and herbs add layers of complexity to the racy, super-ripe red fruits. Despite its generosity, this remains an understated, representative Gattinara with lovely balance and harmony."

"An elegant wine laced with dark cherries, plums, licorice, new leather, mint and French oak. All of the elements come together beautifully in this silky, mid-weight Brunello. The vibrant, eternal finish makes it hard to resist a second taste. This subtle, impeccably refined Brunello can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring, but it will be even better in another few years."

"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 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."

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino saturates the palate with deep layers of fruit. This is a fabulous, highly expressive Brunello with virtually no hard edges and superb overall balance. It is one of the more approachable young wines I have ever tasted from this historic Montalcino estate. I imagine the 2007 will enjoy a broad window of drinkability beginning nearly upon release."