Wine Cellar

Wine:  Tignanello

The 2009 Tignanello is quite beautiful. Cedar, graphite, sweet herbs, licorice and leather add complexity to a core of highly expressive red fruits. The 2009 impresses for its energy, drive and focus. Today, the 2009 comes across as slightly understated relative to many recent vintages, especially 2007 and 2008. There is a silkiness and polish that is reminiscent of the 2004. Tignanello is 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc from vineyards in San Casciano Val di Pesa, one of the most evocative hillsides in all of Italy. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.

Wine:  Camaracanda

The 2008 Camarcanda emerges from the glass with smoke, scorched earth, grilled herbs, black cherries and menthol. The aromas and flavors build beautifully towards a long finish framed by firm yet well-integrated tannins. The 2008 shows excellent balance in a fresh, vibrant style that is made relatively approachable because of the wine’s mid-weight structure. That said, the wine shows more and more freshness as it sits in the glass and may be headed for a period of dormancy. Magari is 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc that spends 18 months in French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.

Wine:  Magari Toscana IGT

Ripe dark cherries, plums, sweet spices and licorice are some of the notes that flow from the 2009 Magari. The 2009 is a pliant, open Magari with lovely length and an understated finish. Floral notes linger on the close. In this vintage Magari is built on a core of radiant fruit, with less aromatic nuance than the 2008. I like the way the wine comes together in the glass. Magari is 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc that spends 18 months in French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017.

Wine:  Promis Toscana IGT

Promis is 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah and 10% Sangiovese

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Rennina

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina flows across the palate with layers of sensual, perfumed fruit. Soft, gracious and impeccably balanced, the 2007 Rennina impresses for its overall harmony and sense of grace. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers and spices wrap around the feminine finish. This is a very pretty not to mention hugely appealing wine from Pieve Santa Restituta. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille is dazzling. Dark fruit, tar, licorice and smoke come to life in this dramatic, large-scaled Brunello. The 2007 boasts incredible intensity and power all the way through to the palate-staining finish. Today the tannins are big and imposing, but they should start settling down as the wine approaches its tenth birthday. I saw the wine shut down quickly in the glass, which is an excellent sign for its potential longevity. This is a flat-out gorgeous bottle of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.

Wine:  Sassicaia

The 2009 Sassicaia is unusually big, rich and opulent. Layers of fruit saturate the palate as the 2009 explodes from the glass with a heady melange of dark berries, plums, menthol, licorice and new leather. This is an especially racy Sassicaia. Readers who enjoy the classicism of Sassicaia are likely to find the 2009 too rich, especially at this early stage. The wine needs at least a few years in bottle to drop some of its baby fat. Despite its huge fruit, the 2009 is also pretty closed down and not anywhere close to being ready to show off its pedigree. Sassicaia is arguably Italy’s most famous wine, so it’s always great when it lives up to its reputation. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.

Wine:  Sassicaia Magnums

The 2009 Sassicaia is unusually big, rich and opulent. Layers of fruit saturate the palate as the 2009 explodes from the glass with a heady melange of dark berries, plums, menthol, licorice and new leather. This is an especially racy Sassicaia. Readers who enjoy the classicism of Sassicaia are likely to find the 2009 too rich, especially at this early stage. The wine needs at least a few years in bottle to drop some of its baby fat. Despite its huge fruit, the 2009 is also pretty closed down and not anywhere close to being ready to show off its pedigree. Sassicaia is arguably Italy’s most famous wine, so it’s always great when it lives up to its reputation. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino

“A very structured 2007 Brunello, with ripe and firm tannins and beautiful fresh fruit. Full body, chewy and intense, with a long finish. This is the best from here in years. Wonderful depth of fruit”

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Manachiara

Packed with plum and cherry flavors, along with dense tannins, this red is a bit monolithic now, yet well-proportioned, so give it time to stretch out a little. Best from 2013 through 2026.

Wine:  Rosso di Montalcino

From young Brunello vines, this shows typical Brunello characters in a softer, more fruity style with less oak ageing. A fresh and lively red, showing cherry, strawberry, licorice and saline flavors. Rich and dense, with a touch of spice and a firm, tannic finish. Best from 2012 through 2015.

Wine:  Rosso di Montalcino

Nardi’s 2010 Rosso di Montalcino is a big, hearty wine. It shows good depth but also comes across as a touch rustic. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015.

Wine:  Turan Sant Antimo DOC

A blend of 40% Petit verdot, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 10% Colorino. St Antimo is a new DOC in Tuscany that catches varieties other than Sangiovese. This shows fantastic value with typical Italian tannins and rich red-berry fruit.

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva emerges from the glass with soft red cherries, licorice, tobacco and sweet herbs. It is a pretty wine with gorgeous inner perfume and fine overall balance, but I don't see much of the trademark Soldera structure. Take it from someone who has had the privilege of tasting virtually every wine that has ever been made here, the 2005 - while good - is miles away from Soldera's recent masterpieces. This is Lot C83. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Wine:  Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

In the benchmark 2006 vintage, Soldera's Brunello Riserva promises to be monumental. There is little doubt that this will prove to be one of the masterpieces from this illustrious estate. 2006 is a vintage that we're convinced will be remembered as one Brunello's best modern vintages. Our feelings about the vintage are no secret - we've sent out many 06 Brunello offers. 2006 Soldera is grandest finale we could imagine for our 06 Brunello campaign. Soldera is one of those estates that transcend their regions. Soldera's Brunellos are simply like no others. They are uncompromising and traditional; Sangiovese that electrifies the palate with a super-fine acidity shot through layers of tongue-staining blackberries, purple wildflowers and mountains of tannin.