Italian Red

Wine Spectator 92WS TOP 100 2012 Rank 31"A powerful and opulent style, this red displays ripe cherry, black currant, violet and tobacco aromas and flavors. The tannins are gripping on the finish, which lingers with sweet fruit and mineral accents. Well-proportioned. Best from 2014 through 2021.

Wine Spectator 94"The rose, strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors are beautifully displayed on the elegant frame in this pure and delicately wrought red, which shows harmony and depth. The fine lingering finish expresses energy, with a mineral element. Best from 2015 through 2032.." ~ B.S.

Wine Enthusiast 95"A big, opulent pleasure bomb with lavish layers, loaded thickly on top of each other. Chocolate fudge, dark cherry, blackberry preserves, rum cake, prune, exotic spice, pipe tobacco, cola, hummus and leather. Huge personality and intensity. Staying power too. All that density

Wine Advocate 92"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni is a huge wine bursting with dark red cherries, plums, licorice, new leather and spices. This is an especially big, voluminous style built on extroverted fruit and sheer richness, but it all works. The weight of the vintage comes

Wine Advocate 93"Tar, licorice, incense, melted road tar, savory herbs and plums are some of the many notes that flow from the 2010 Dogliani Sori San Martino. Although quite dark and brooding in its flavor profile, the San Martino is actually quite medium-bodied and refined, with endless layers of

Robert Parker 94+"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

Wine Spectator 94"Cherry and raspberry fruit are augmented by licorice and tobacco notes in this supple, yet firmly structured, red. This is balanced and lingers with floral and mineral accents. Very long and stretched taut."From slightly younger vines in the best exposed area of Ginestra,

Robert Parker 96"The 2007 Barolo Pajana is a showstopper. Waves of intense, beautifully delineated fruit flow onto the palate as the wine opens up in the glass. Sumptuous and elegant through and through, the Pajana shows marvelous delineation and clean, minerally notes that underpin the opulence

Wine Enthusiast 92"Loaded with aromas of black fruit, cured meat, ripe cherry, spice, vanilla bean and moist pipe tobacco, this beautiful Brunello would pair with mesquite grilled steak or pork roll stuffed with chopped rosemary. The wine delivers intensity and bright freshness that drives a

Wine Spectator 90"Notes of blackberry and black cherry are accented by tobacco and spice in this concentrated red, which is fresh and lively, with a firm finish. Drink now through 2014." ~ BS"This wine, made from 100% Sangiovese, comes from a variety of young vineyards located in different

Wine Advocate 90"The 2010 Le Sughere di Frassinello bursts from the glass with an exciting melange of sweet red cherries, herbs, licorice and tobacco. It shows lovely mid-palate depth in a medium-bodied, sleek style supported by firm yet well-integrated tannins. The 2010 fleshes out nicely on the

Wine Spectator 96Wine Spectator 2012 TOP 100 Rank 44 "A pure, ethereal Barolo, boasting rose, cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors, with a touch of tar. Very harmonious and elegant, with firm yet well-delineated tannins supporting the whole. Old-school and refined. Best from 2016 through

Wine Advocate 90"The 2009 Villa Antinori is a pretty, mid-weight wine laced with dark red berries, flowers and sweet spices. Nothing in particular stands out, just the wine’s lovely depth, balance and overall sense of harmony. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Anticipated maturity:

Wine Enthusiast 92“This special commemorative bottle celebrates the 60th anniversary (1947–2007) of one of Italy’s flagship wines. The characteristic aromas of Sangiovese come through loud and clear in the form of bright pulses of wild berry, blue flower, light spice and dried tobacco. The wine is

Wine Advocate 93 "The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is flashy, open and totally seductive. Tobacco, smoke, licorice and crushed flowers are some of the notes that are woven together in this supple, juicy Brunello. The Colombina’s Brunelli are typically accessible when young, but the 2007 is

Wine Enthusiast 93"Opens with dark concentration and syrupy aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry preserves and cassis concentrate. The wine is soft, plump and chewy, with a smooth, thick quality to its texture that makes it a natural pairing partner to red meat."~M.L.James Suckling 93"Aromas

Wine Spectator 95"Dark in color, with impressive aromas of licorice, pepper, currant and berries. Full-bodied, with supersilky, powerful tannins, yet reserved and balanced. Very harmonious, with a long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Best after 2011. 800 cases made. " ~J.S.

Wine Spectator 93 WS TOP 100 2011 Rank 79"Already harmonious and supple, this red offers black cherry, raspberry and floral flavors, showing both intensity and finesse. Bright and focused, with refined tannins and a lingering aftertaste that echoes berry and spice. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and

Wine Advocate 92"The 2009 Carmignano Il Sasso is striking. Freshly cut flowers, red berries, spices and mint are all woven together nicely in this vibrant, perfumed Carmignano. Layers of fruit build to an intense, mineral-laced finish. Il Sasso is mostly Sangiovese, with some Cabernet Sauvignon

Empire Wine Best Buy Wine Spectator 90"Fresh and plump, with juicy flavors of cherry, raspberry, licorice, menthol and oak spice. The oak doesnt intrude, and this ends with an aftertaste of black cherry, tar and mineral notes. Best from 2014 through 2027."~BS

Wine Advocate 94"The 2006 San Leonardo boasts striking inner perfume, great purity and fabulous overall balance. A large, broad-shouldered red, the 2006 shows off layers of expressive dark fruit, grilled herbs, licorice and new leather, all supported by firm yet well-integrated tannins. The 2006

Wine Advocate 95 "The 2007 Aglianico del Vulture Il Sigillo is a bit different from the other wines in this lineup in that it is made from late-harvested fruit. It is a sumptuous wine that has preserved marvelous acidity and freshness, a combination that is simply dazzling. Layers of intense fruit

Robert Parker 90“Layers of lush, expressive fruit. The wine’s minerality comes through on the mid-palate and finish. I very much like the combination of rich fruit and freshness in this lush, textured Rosso.”" Intense ruby red in color with violet reflections. Fresh bouquet with typical

Wine Advocate 91"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

Robert Parker 94"The 2007 Barolo Bricco Luciani is one of the most beautiful wines I have tasted here in quite some time. Dark berries, flowers, minerals and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this sexy, well-delineated Barolo. The 2007 possesses more depth than has been the norm over