5 | Wine | Sangiovese, 86 or higher

"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."

"Bright, full ruby. High-toned aromas of red berries, violet and wild herbs. Dense and sweet but also juicy, with a creamy, fine-grained texture to the complex flavors of red and black fruits and exotic dried herbs. Nicely energetic Chianti, finishing with sweet tannins and excellent length."

"The 2010 Chianti Classico is beautiful, pointed and articulate. Sweet red berries, anise, flowers, spices and licorice are some of the many notes that flow from this gorgeous Chianti. The freshness and vibrancy are pure 2010."

"The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is a fleshy, radiant wine graced with expressive dark red fruit. This is a fairly plush style for this bottling, no doubt owing to the personality of the vintage...Tobacco, sweet herbs, licorice and dark red cherries leave a very positive, lasting impression."

"The 2010 Chianti is ridiculously great. Juicy dark cherries, mint, flowers and violets are some of the many notes that jump from the glass in this exuberant wine. The pure vibrancy of the year comes through in spades. This is easily one of the greatest values in Italian wine."

"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 2007 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with a textured fabric of dark red berries, licorice, spices, tobacco and leather. Layers of fruit continue to build as the wine blossoms in every direction. Flowers, spices and leather reappear on the silky finish."

"Offers black cherry and blackberry notes, with lilac. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely finish of dark chocolate, smoky wood and berry."

"Dark cherries, plums, flowers and spices literally jump out of the glass in this vinous, bright red. The 2010 Rosso is a great, budget-priced wine from Giacomo Neri."

"Altesino’s 2010 Rosso di Altesino bursts from the glass with sweet red berries, flowers, mint and licorice. In 2010 the Rosso has a little more richness than usual, which is quite welcome in this entry-level offering. The 2010 is hugely delicious now, and should be enjoyed over the next few years while the fruit retains its youthful exuberance."