BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast
BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast
88 Podere Paganico 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. This informal Rosso shows balance and intensity with bright berry aromas and acidity that is not too sharp. In fact, the wine is nicely rounded and supple. Saranty Imports. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $15 88 Quattroventi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Quattroventi delivers a clean, genuine Rosso with bright notes of raspberry, blueberry, plum and black cherry. There’s a touch of smoke or spice at the back that contributes to a round, easy mouthfeel. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $NA 88 Tenuta Carlina 2009 La Togata (Rosso di Montalcino). La Togata offers a crisp and fresh Rosso, with aromas of bright berry, cherry cola, wild raspberry and lemon zest. The natural acidity of this wine would pair well with lasagna topped with melted mozzarella and Parmigiano. Panebianco. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $36 88 Tenuta di Sesta 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Here’s a textbook Rosso that delivers clear and crisp fruit notes, with pretty nuances of wild berry, red rose and moist earth at the back. The wine feels crisp, lean and silky on the close. Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $30 88 Tenuta Il Poggione 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. This lovely Montalcino estate delivers a bright, ruby-colored Rosso that is heavily characterized by fresh forest-fruit aromas and bright acids. The wine is streamlined and pristine. Terlato Wines International. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $28 88 Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. A consistent producer, Silvio Nardi delivers a bright, fresh Rosso, bursting with notes of cherry, raspberry and white chocolate. This is a food-friendly wine that would match up nicely with breaded veal or mushroom risotto. Kobrand. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $27 88 Uccelliera 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. This informal wine opens with a dark, ruby color and pretty notes of red berry, rose and pipe tobacco. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $22 88 Uccelliera 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. Uccelliera’s savory Rosso offers a compact mouthfeel, with bright acidity, silky tannins and bright berry aromas. Pair this wine with lamb stewed with exotic spices and grated ginger. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $20 88 Vini Italiani da Sogno 2010 Carillon (Rosso di Montalcino). This is a dark, plump expression of Sangiovese Grosso that delivers finelytuned aromas of succulent fruit and blackberry. Notes of espresso and dark chocolate give the wine added di- 24 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MONTH 2012 mension and staying power in the mouth. Panebianco. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $NA 87 Camigliano 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. A crisp, streamlined expression of Sangiovese Grosso that opens with lively aromas of wild berry, white pepper and pressed rose. Pair this wine with sweet meats, such as roasted ham or pork. Vias Imports. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $20 87 Casato1 2010 Voliero (Rosso di Montalcino). Pair this food-friendly bright Rosso with meatloaf or pork roasted with chopped fennel and leeks. The wine opens with easy berry aromas backed by blue flower and spice, and there’s a blast of cleansing acidity on the close. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $20 87 Casato1 2009 Voliero (Rosso di Montalcino). Simple, bright and packed with fresh berry intensity, this easygoing Rosso would pair well with meatloaf, lamp chops or pasta with meat sauce. The wine’s naturally crisp acidity will cut through the fat content of these succulent foods. Michael Skurnik Wines. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $23 87 Castello Banfi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Here’s the kind of simple Rosso di Montalcino that would pair perfectly with with risotto alla Milanese (with delicate meat flavoring and saffron) or roast pork. It’s a fresh, zesty wine, with bright berry nuances and a clean, sharp mouthfeel. Banfi Vintners. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $23 87 Fattoi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. This hearty Rosso opens with spicy aromas of candied fruit, clove, dark spice and cured meat. The wine has a warm, earthy note that is characteristic of Tuscany’s Sangiovese. The mouthfeel is tart, bright and fresh on the finish. Tricana Imports. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $22 87 La Fornace 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. This Rosso shows nicely etched lines of wild berry, white almond and smoked spice. The wine is lean and crisp in the mouth and would pair well with a heaping plate of spaghetti and meat sauce. Vignaioli. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $35 87 Lazzeretti 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. The nose of this succulent Rosso opens with red berry, candied cherry and blackberry tar. Its firm tannins give the wine a textured, almost gritty, mouthfeel. Pacific Wine Distributors. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $NA 87 Máté 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. This silky Rosso offers a lean, compact mouthfeel and intense aromas of red fruit, smoked almond, black olive and sour cherry. There’s a savory note of cured meat on the finish. Vinilandia USA. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $23 87 Mocali 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. This wine’s ripe, earthy bouquet is enhanced by the bright aromas of strawberry and blackberry preserve aromas. It’s soft, round, supple and there’s a distant note of plump berry sweetness. Michael Skurnik Wines. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $20 87 Molino di Sant’Antimo 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Bright red cherry and chewy blackberry notes are followed by sweet spice, nutmeg and cinnamon. There’s a grapy element to the bouquet that underscores the wine’s youth and informality. Delectatio Wines. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $20 87 Podere Brizio 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. Clean, fresh and spicy on the close, this easy Rosso offers mild aromas of wild berry, raspberry and cranberry. The wine delivers a crisp feel in the mouth. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $27 87 Tenuta San Giorgio 2010 Ciampoleto (Rosso di Montalcino). Here’s a lovely Rosso and a rare value wine from one of Tuscany’s most prestigious wine-growing areas. Ciampoleto offers bright berry nuances, light shadings of exotic spice and a fresh, zesty finish. Majestic Imports. Best Buy. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $12 87 Tiezzi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Tiezzi’s 2010 Rosso shows a dark, austere side, with aromas of ripe fruit, blackberry preserves and rum cake. The acidity is lively and fresh, and the mouthfeel is balanced and smooth. Michael Skurnik Wines. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $20 87 Vini Italiani da Sogno 2008 Carillon (Rosso di Montalcino). Rosso Carillon is aged one year in oak to produce smoky notes of toasted almond and exotic spice. The bright, compact mouthfeel offers cola, sour cherry and wild blueberry endnotes. Panebianco. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $30 86 Poggio Antico 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. There’s a youthful, brambly character to this Rosso that appears as dried sage, rosemary, forest berry and wild mushroom. The wine is bright, fresh and streamlined. The Sorting Table. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $44 86 San Polo 2008 Rosso di Montalcino. This fresh expression of Sangiovese Grosso offers tight berry aromas, with shades of spice and toasted almond in the background. Bright acidity brings up the rear. Winebow. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $25 86 Tenuta Carlina 2010 La Togata (Rosso di Montalcino). This dark Rosso opens with aromas of dark fruit and bramble, with subtle background hints of wild mushroom and cured meat. Endnotes of crushed black pepper and crushed clove bring up the rear. Panebianco. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $28
85 La Torre 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. There’s a meaty quality to this Rosso that comes across as candied fruit, plum cake, leather, spice and moist earth. Drink now. Rosenthal Wine Merchants. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $35 85 Podere La Vigna 2009 Rosso di Montalcino. Here’s a simple, brambly expression of Sangiovese Grosso, with bright acidity and lively notes of forest berry and moist earth. This wine has a smoky touch of toasted almond on the close. Royalty Importers. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $30 85 Villa Poggio Salvi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. Here’s a well-proportioned Rosso that shows notes of fresh raspberry and cherry, with an easy consistency and crisp acidity. The wine’s mouthfeel is lean and crisp. Shaw-Ross International Importers. —M.L. abv: 12.5% Price: $20 84 Il Valentiano 2008 Campo di Marzo (Rosso di Montalcino). There’s a ripe, jammy aroma on the bouquet of this wine that is soon followed by toasted espresso, rum cake, spice and tobacco. The finish is harsh and strong, thanks to a combination of alcohol and high acidity. Vidalco International, LLC. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $22 CHIANTI 90 Cantalici L’Antica Fornace di Ridolfo 2007 Messer Ridolfo Riserva (Chianti Classico). This bold Chianti Classico opens with earthy aromas of cured meat, tobacco, pipe tobacco and rum cake. The fruit aromas come forth as candied berry, plum and crème de cassis. This wine is aged for one year in oak barrel, resulting in a soft, plush and velvety finish. Roanoke Valley Wine Company. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $32 90 Marchesi Antinori 2008 Badia a Passignano Riserva (Chianti Classico). At the heart of Chianti Classico, Badia a Passignano is among the most beautiful wine properties in the world with an ancient abbey that crowns softly rolling hills. This wine is packed tightly with bright cherry, spice and tobacco notes, and lingering touches of wild berry and cola. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $53 89 Castello d’Albola 2007 Riserva (Chianti Classico). This bright wine offers a straightforward and focused expression of Sangiovese (with a tiny percentage of Canaiolo), with a lean texture and crisp berry nuances. On the close, there’s a pretty accent that recalls white almond. Zonin USA. —M.L. abv: 13% Price: $28 89 Castelvecchio 2007 Vigna la Quercia Riserva (Chianti Colli Fiorentini). This wine is ripe and soft, with jammy aromas of blackber- ry and raspberry followed by rich smoothness. Atlantic Importing. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $37 89 Marchesi Antinori 2007 Marchese Antinori Riserva (Chianti Classico). Sangiovese fruit is presented in its most genuine and clean state, with bright berry nuances, violets, moist earth, tobacco and cola. There are wood elements, but they are unobstructive, clean and otherwise relegated to a supporting role. The bouquet shows wild berry, bramble and bright acidity. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $35 88 Cantalici L’Antica Fornace di Ridolfo 2007 Cantalici (Chianti Classico). This bright and nicely layered Chianti Classico opens with characteristic Sangiovese aromas of forest fruit and blue flower followed by leather and tobacco. Since the wine spends many months in oak, the finish is soft and spicy. Roanoke Valley Wine Company. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $20 88 Castello d’Albola 2008 Le Ellere (Chianti Classico). Le Ellere is a tight and fresh expression of Sangiovese that delivers a clean and crisp quality of fruit. The wine’s acidity makes it a perfect pairing for ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese or chicken in cream sauce. Zonin USA. —M.L. abv: 13% Price: $25 88 Castelvecchio 2009 Il Castelvecchio (Chianti Colli Fiorentini). Sangiovese (with 10% Merlot) forms a solid base for bright aromas of red cherry, cola, leather, tobacco and rum cake in this blend. These two varieties work well together to produce a soft, velvety feel with a touch of ripe fruit on the finish. Atlantic Importing. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $16 87 Castello d’Albola 2008 Chianti Classico (Chianti Classico). Here’s a wonderfully fresh and tangy Chianti Classico (Sangiovese with a tiny element of Canaiolo) that opens with a bright, ruby appearance and tangy notes of wild berry, white almond and blue violet. The mouthfeel is fresh and focused. Zonin USA. —M.L. abv: 12.5% Price: $19 84 Buccia Nera 2008 Guarniente (Chianti). Very fresh and acidic to the point of tasting sour, this ruby-colored Chianti offers bright berry aromas and white cherry crispness. The wine seems perfectly engineered to pair with cheesy pasta or pizza. Wine Country. —M.L. abv: 13% Price: $13 MAREMMA 94 Fattoria Le Pupille 2008 Saffredi (Maremma). Vintner Elisabetta Geppetti’s Saffredi is part cult wine and part mainstream blockbuster in that the wine enjoys worldwide fame, but few know it well. This vintage is soft and luscious, with loads of dark chocolate, cherry, blackberry, tobacco and spice. It’s gor- geous down to the last delicious drop. Winebow. Cellar Selection. —M.L. abv: 14.5% Price: $126 90 Agricola Querciabella 2009 Mongrana (Maremma). This is a terrific super Tuscan blend (of 50% Sangiovese with equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) that drinks beautifully. Bright red fruit and cherry give the wine a lively, cheerful personality and the wine’s structure is perfectly balanced and smooth. It’s a one-size-fits-all wine for our favorite Italian foods. Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. Editors’ Choice. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $17 88 Pieve Vecchia 2008 Pieve dei Monaci Syrah (Maremma). A pure expression of Syrah from coastal Tuscany, Pieve dei Monaci offers a chewy texture and thick layers of black fruit, prune, cola, spice and smoked bacon. Pair this wine with grilled meat. Supreme Wines & Spirits. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $17 TOSCANA 97 Marchesi Antinori 2008 Solaia (Toscana). Definitely on a top 10 list of Italian icons, Solaia affirms the massive potential of Italian winemaking, from vineyard to cantina to cellar and beyond. Superrich and polished, but never over the top, this gorgeous super Tuscan shows deep layers of chocolate, black cherry, rum cake and spice. The secret lies in its balance: Everything is in place, from intensity and complexity to persistency. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Cellar Selection. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $325 95 Ca’ Marcanda 2007 Promis (Toscana). From the Tuscan estate of Angelo Gaja, Promis delivers all the gorgeous intensity and complexity you should expect. The wine oozes dark chocolate, cherry liqueur, spice, blackberry and moist tobacco. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth; absolutely delicious. Terlato Wines International. Cellar Selection. —M.L. abv: 14% Price: $50 94 Marchesi Antinori 2008 Tignanello (Toscana). This landmark Italian wine continues to show the best of Tuscany, as it faithfully does year after year. The quality is obvious, thanks to rich notes of chocolate, black cherry and spice that are wrapped tight within a lush, soft and texture. The close is velvety and very long.Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Cellar Selection. —M.L. abv: 13.5% Price: $99 94 Poggio Antico 2009 Madre (Toscana). Madre is the name of a beautiful vineyard parcel on the Poggio Antico estate, with views that extend from Montalcino to the Mediterranean Sea. This hearty blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is intense and rich, with long-lasting notes of blackberry, smoke, spice and black pepper. The mouthfeel is lush and velvety. The Sorting Table. Cellar Selection. —M.L. abv: NA Price: $73 WineMag.com | 25
- Page 1 and 2: Clay McLachlan 2 ITALY 29 FRANCE 31
- Page 3 and 4: The Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide Th
- Page 5 and 6: 93 Marimar Estate 2008 Stony Block
- Page 7 and 8: 91 Coghlan 2009 Tourmaline Grenache
- Page 9 and 10: 89 Darcie Kent Vineyards 2008 Madde
- Page 11 and 12: 88 BEST BUYS Releaf 2010 Made With
- Page 13 and 14: at the back will undoubtedly increa
- Page 15 and 16: Donna Olga 2007 Le Cacce in Villa 9
- Page 17 and 18: 90 Lazzeretti 2007 Brunello di Mont
- Page 19 and 20: long-lasting. This is a beautiful w
- Page 21 and 22: It’s tannic, firm and ready for a
- Page 23: ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 91 Capanne Ricc
- Page 27 and 28: 86 Collemassari 2010 Gròttolo Ros
- Page 29 and 30: and lemon soda. There’s a sharp,
- Page 31 and 32: texture, it revels in its fresh red
- Page 33 and 34: Devo Enterprises Corporation. Edito
- Page 35 and 36: 89 Cramele Halewood 2009 Kronos Lim
- Page 37 and 38: y. Drink now-2015. The Triton Colle
- Page 39 and 40: in a zesty, mouthwatering finish. D
- Page 41 and 42: turns crisp and edgy on the finish.
- Page 43 and 44: as more standard cassis and berry a
- Page 45 and 46: y and lightly oaky, minty flavors.
- Page 47 and 48: 90 Sarah’s Vineyard 2010 Chardonn
- Page 49 and 50: 91 Coghlan 2009 Tourmaline Grenache
- Page 51 and 52: and oak flavors. It’s one of thos
- Page 53 and 54: 87 Francis Ford Coppola 2009 Direct
- Page 55 and 56: lovely, but should develop over the
- Page 57 and 58: in blackberry and cherry fruit and
- Page 59 and 60: 86 Lava Cap 2009 Estate Barbera (El
- Page 61 and 62: tain fruit. Ripe plums and cherries
- Page 63 and 64: SPIRITS REMEMBER THE REPOSADO drink
- Page 65: BEER STOCKING UP FOR SUMMER With su
85<br />
La Torre 2010 Rosso di Montalcino.<br />
There’s a meaty quality to this Rosso that comes<br />
across as candied fruit, plum cake, leather, spice and<br />
moist earth. Drink now. Rosenthal <strong>Wine</strong> Merchants.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $35<br />
85<br />
Podere La Vigna 2009 Rosso di Montalcino.<br />
Here’s a simple, brambly expression of<br />
Sangiovese Grosso, with bright acidity and lively notes<br />
of forest berry and moist earth. This wine has a smoky<br />
touch of toasted almond on the close. Royalty Importers.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $30<br />
85<br />
Villa Poggio Salvi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino.<br />
Here’s a well-proportioned Rosso that<br />
shows notes of fresh raspberry and cherry, with an easy<br />
consistency and crisp acidity. The wine’s mouthfeel is<br />
lean and crisp. Shaw-Ross International Importers.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $20<br />
84<br />
Il Valentiano 2008 Campo di Marzo (Rosso<br />
di Montalcino). There’s a ripe, jammy aroma<br />
on the bouquet of this wine that is soon followed<br />
by toasted espresso, rum cake, spice and tobacco. The<br />
finish is harsh and strong, thanks to a combination of<br />
alcohol and high acidity. Vidalco International, LLC.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $22<br />
CHIANTI<br />
90<br />
Cantalici L’Antica Fornace di Ridolfo<br />
2007 Messer Ridolfo Riserva (Chianti<br />
Classico). This bold Chianti Classico opens with<br />
earthy aromas of cured meat, tobacco, pipe tobacco and<br />
rum cake. The fruit aromas come forth as candied berry,<br />
plum and crème de cassis. This wine is aged for one year<br />
in oak barrel, resulting in a soft, plush and velvety finish.<br />
Roanoke Valley <strong>Wine</strong> Company. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14.5% Price: $32<br />
90<br />
Marchesi Antinori 2008 Badia a Passignano<br />
Riserva (Chianti Classico). At the<br />
heart of Chianti Classico, Badia a Passignano is among<br />
the most beautiful wine properties in the world with an<br />
ancient abbey that crowns softly rolling hills. This wine<br />
is packed tightly with bright cherry, spice and tobacco<br />
notes, and lingering touches of wild berry and cola. Ste.<br />
Michelle <strong>Wine</strong> Estates. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $53<br />
89<br />
Castello d’Albola 2007 Riserva (Chianti<br />
Classico). This bright wine offers a straightforward<br />
and focused expression of Sangiovese (with a<br />
tiny percentage of Canaiolo), with a lean texture and<br />
crisp berry nuances. On the close, there’s a pretty accent<br />
that recalls white almond. Zonin USA. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $28<br />
89<br />
Castelvecchio 2007 Vigna la Quercia<br />
Riserva (Chianti Colli Fiorentini). This<br />
wine is ripe and soft, with jammy aromas of blackber-<br />
ry and raspberry followed by rich smoothness. Atlantic<br />
Importing. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $37<br />
89<br />
Marchesi Antinori 2007 Marchese Antinori<br />
Riserva (Chianti Classico). Sangiovese<br />
fruit is presented in its most genuine and clean<br />
state, with bright berry nuances, violets, moist earth, tobacco<br />
and cola. There are wood elements, but they are<br />
unobstructive, clean and otherwise relegated to a supporting<br />
role. The bouquet shows wild berry, bramble<br />
and bright acidity. Ste. Michelle <strong>Wine</strong> Estates. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $35<br />
88<br />
Cantalici L’Antica Fornace di Ridolfo<br />
2007 Cantalici (Chianti Classico). This<br />
bright and nicely layered Chianti Classico opens with<br />
characteristic Sangiovese aromas of forest fruit and blue<br />
flower followed by leather and tobacco. Since the wine<br />
spends many months in oak, the finish is soft and spicy.<br />
Roanoke Valley <strong>Wine</strong> Company. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $20<br />
88<br />
Castello d’Albola 2008 Le Ellere (Chianti<br />
Classico). Le Ellere is a tight and fresh expression<br />
of Sangiovese that delivers a clean and crisp<br />
quality of fruit. The wine’s acidity makes it a perfect<br />
pairing for ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese or chicken<br />
in cream sauce. Zonin USA. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $25<br />
88<br />
Castelvecchio 2009 Il Castelvecchio<br />
(Chianti Colli Fiorentini). Sangiovese (with<br />
10% Merlot) forms a solid base for bright aromas of<br />
red cherry, cola, leather, tobacco and rum cake in this<br />
blend. These two varieties work well together to produce<br />
a soft, velvety feel with a touch of ripe fruit on the<br />
finish. Atlantic Importing. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $16<br />
87<br />
Castello d’Albola 2008 Chianti Classico<br />
(Chianti Classico). Here’s a wonderfully<br />
fresh and tangy Chianti Classico (Sangiovese with a tiny<br />
element of Canaiolo) that opens with a bright, ruby appearance<br />
and tangy notes of wild berry, white almond<br />
and blue violet. The mouthfeel is fresh and focused. Zonin<br />
USA. —M.L.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $19<br />
84<br />
Buccia Nera 2008 Guarniente (Chianti).<br />
Very fresh and acidic to the point of tasting sour,<br />
this ruby-colored Chianti offers bright berry aromas and<br />
white cherry crispness. The wine seems perfectly engineered<br />
to pair with cheesy pasta or pizza. <strong>Wine</strong> Country.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $13<br />
MAREMMA<br />
94<br />
Fattoria Le Pupille 2008 Saffredi (Maremma).<br />
Vintner Elisabetta Geppetti’s Saffredi is<br />
part cult wine and part mainstream blockbuster in that<br />
the wine enjoys worldwide fame, but few know it well.<br />
This vintage is soft and luscious, with loads of dark chocolate,<br />
cherry, blackberry, tobacco and spice. It’s gor-<br />
geous down to the last delicious drop. <strong>Wine</strong>bow. Cellar<br />
Selection. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14.5% Price: $126<br />
90<br />
Agricola Querciabella 2009 Mongrana<br />
(Maremma). This is a terrific super Tuscan<br />
blend (of 50% Sangiovese with equal parts Merlot and<br />
Cabernet Sauvignon) that drinks beautifully. Bright red<br />
fruit and cherry give the wine a lively, cheerful personality<br />
and the wine’s structure is perfectly balanced and<br />
smooth. It’s a one-size-fits-all wine for our favorite Italian<br />
foods. Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. Editors’<br />
Choice. —M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $17<br />
88<br />
Pieve Vecchia 2008 Pieve dei Monaci<br />
Syrah (Maremma). A pure expression of<br />
Syrah from coastal Tuscany, Pieve dei Monaci offers<br />
a chewy texture and thick layers of black fruit, prune,<br />
cola, spice and smoked bacon. Pair this wine with grilled<br />
meat. Supreme <strong>Wine</strong>s & Spirits. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $17<br />
TOSCANA<br />
97<br />
Marchesi Antinori 2008 Solaia (Toscana).<br />
Definitely on a top 10 list of Italian icons, Solaia<br />
affirms the massive potential of Italian winemaking,<br />
from vineyard to cantina to cellar and beyond. Superrich<br />
and polished, but never over the top, this gorgeous<br />
super Tuscan shows deep layers of chocolate, black<br />
cherry, rum cake and spice. The secret lies in its balance:<br />
Everything is in place, from intensity and complexity<br />
to persistency. Ste. Michelle <strong>Wine</strong> Estates. Cellar<br />
Selection. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $325<br />
95<br />
Ca’ Marcanda 2007 Promis (Toscana).<br />
From the Tuscan estate of Angelo Gaja, Promis<br />
delivers all the gorgeous intensity and complexity you<br />
should expect. The wine oozes dark chocolate, cherry liqueur,<br />
spice, blackberry and moist tobacco. The mouthfeel<br />
is soft and smooth; absolutely delicious. Terlato<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>s International. Cellar Selection. —M.L.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $50<br />
94<br />
Marchesi Antinori 2008 Tignanello (Toscana).<br />
This landmark Italian wine continues<br />
to show the best of Tuscany, as it faithfully does year<br />
after year. The quality is obvious, thanks to rich notes<br />
of chocolate, black cherry and spice that are wrapped<br />
tight within a lush, soft and texture. The close is velvety<br />
and very long.Ste. Michelle <strong>Wine</strong> Estates. Cellar Selection.<br />
—M.L.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $99<br />
94<br />
Poggio Antico 2009 Madre (Toscana).<br />
Madre is the name of a beautiful vineyard parcel<br />
on the Poggio Antico estate, with views that extend<br />
from Montalcino to the Mediterranean Sea. This hearty<br />
blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is intense<br />
and rich, with long-lasting notes of blackberry, smoke,<br />
spice and black pepper. The mouthfeel is lush and velvety.<br />
The Sorting Table. Cellar Selection. —M.L.<br />
abv: NA Price: $73<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>Mag.com | 25
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