Italy

Rating

94

Release Price

$75

Drink Date

2014

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

31st Oct 1994

Source

95, The Wine Advocate

The 1990 Solaia is slightly more concentrated than the 1990 Tignanello, with a saturated purple color, and a classic, international nose of cassis, lead pencil, vanillin, and smoke. It is gorgeously rich, with a fat, unctuous texture, and a long, highly extracted finish. Well-balanced and already delicious, it remains unevolved and is potentially a 12-20 year wine. In the context of recent Solaias, I would rate it a worthy competitor to the other-worldly 1985. It is certainly much more opulent, with sweeter, jammier, richer fruit than the 1988 (most recently rated 88 points).  

Rating

97

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2016 - 2028

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

29th Jan 2016

Source

Interim - January 2016, The Wine Advocate

The 2001 Paleo comes together with stunning intensity and balance. If you have a bottle, this wine is absolutely at its prime. This pure expression of Cabernet Franc ushers forth a steady release of black fruit, crushed granite, liquid smoke, licorice, cola and grilled herb. This is one of the first and most important expressions of the French grape made in Italy. Today, some 15 years after the release of this wine, Cabernet Franc is among the hottest varieties on coastal Tuscany--and it's all thanks to the success of Paleo. There is a profound level of complexity and elegance here that is contrasted perfectly against the wine's rich texture and opulence. The wine shows equal parts breed and brawn. Le Macchiole has created the precedent for world class Cabernet Franc from Tuscany.

The 2005 Sassicaia is another strong effort from Tenuta San Guido. Medium in body, it reveals an understated, delicate expression of smoke, herbs, tobacco and sweet dark fruit. The wine possesses compelling harmony and a gorgeous sense of inner perfume that flows from start to finish. This is an outstanding showing in a very challenging vintage. Sassicaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Score: 93 Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate (177), June 2008

Dark ruby in color, showing aromas of currant, new oak and fresh herbs, with hints of spices. Full-bodied, with very chewy tannins and an outstanding concentration of fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Needs plenty of bottle age. Best after 2012. 20,000 cases made.

Score: 94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator, October 2008

The 2006 Ornellaia (magnum) is a massive, towering masterpiece. There is awesome depth and richness to be found in the glass. Flowers, minerals, tar smoke and dark fruit are all woven in an intricate fabric of almost indescribable elegance and power. Tonight the 2006 Ornellaia is absolutely moving in its beauty and expressiveness. Vintage 2006 will go down as one of the all-time greats in Tuscany, and Bolgheri in particular, as all of that region’s benchmark wines are spectacular. The 2006 shows the intensity of the small berries that were harvested that year, with exceptional concentration, acidity and freshness, qualities that are precious and exceedingly rare when they are found in a single wine. In 2006 the final blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Simply put, the 2006 Ornellaia is a must-have bottle.

Rating

96

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2017 - 2035

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

28th Apr 2017

Source

230, The Wine Advocate

The Tenuta San Guido 2006 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a timeless classic. This might just be the vintage to photograph in an encyclopedia entry for Sassicaia. This is especially true at this exact moment in its long and promising drinking window. The wine shows less volume compared to some of the more opulent vintages, but it absolutely excels in terms of length and finish. It offers amazing drive and momentum that are fueled by the extremely fine nature of the wine's texture and the seamless unity of its flavors. It treads in light and delicate footsteps that will carry it far into the future. As they say in Italian: "Piano piano si va lontano" (slowly slowly you go far)

The 2006 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is one of the most open, accessible vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. But it's still Roagna, which means the wine is powerful and structured, but less so than is typically the case. Iron, smoke, incense, tobacco, autumn leaves and a host of ferrous, savory notes are some of the signatures. As is sometimes the case here, extended time in barrel has dried out the fruit a bit. This is a style that personally gives me less pleasure, although, as the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

-- Antonio Galloni

The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva emerges with hints of smoke, underbrush, licorice, leather and wild cherries. The wine gains volume and depth in the glass as its sheer pedigree emerges over time. There is plenty of muscle to back up the delicate aromatics in a striking balance of elegance and power, all in an essentially classic, mid-weight style. The round, deeply satisfying finish makes it hard to put the glass down.

The immediate, voluptuous personality of the 2007 Masseto was on full display. Round, seamless and totally beautiful, the 2007 stood out for its balance and overall harmony.

96+

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2018 - 2040

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

28th Jun 2013

Source

207, The Wine Advocate

Gaia Gaja uses the word “salty” to describe this next wine, and I see her point. The 2010 Sori Tildin shows a dry, firmly structured quality that enhances those extraordinary, breezy overtones of lead pencil and brimstone that so fittingly frame the Nebbiolo grape. The lingering end-notes of rose petal, ginger and cedar are striking. You immediately feel the tannic structure and power of the wine. The jump is very sharp next to the Costa Russi, and that’s why this is one of Gaja’s best cellar-agers. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.  

Rating

95

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2015 - 2025

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

29th Aug 2013

Source

208, The Wine Advocate

The 2010 Messorio will shed its baby fat and some of those pronounced oak tones as it unwinds in the cellar. This is an expertly crafted Merlot that offers so much in terms of charm, intensity and finesse. The opulence of its dark fruit and black cherry is offset against lingering tones of spice and leather. You'll need to wait a bit. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Cinzia Merli and her expert team (with consulting enologist Luca D'Attoma) have this extraordinary capacity of transmitting the poise and grace they possess as people to the wines they make. Unlike many others in the area, Le Macchiole reported excellent results in 2010 and started harvest in many blocks just a few days later than normal thanks to slow and steady fruit ripening at slightly cooler temperatures. The 2010 vintage, they inform me, may be their best yet this century. For my tastes, 2010 does indeed show exceptional balance but I wouldn't put it ahead of standout vintages like 2007 and 2004. 

Rating

98

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2018 - 2038

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

4th Mar 2016

Source

223, The Wine Advocate

Salvioni makes stunning wines that appeal to die-hard Brunello fanatics. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiole shows enormous purity, varietal personality and beautifully balanced intensity. The wine hits all of your senses at once. The bouquet offers red cherry, licorice, dried rosemary, ginger and cola. You taste the most elegant, delicate and ethereal notes that can be extracted from Sangiovese. The tannins are super fine and the texture is silky and supple. This is an iconic wine.

Rating

98

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2017 - 2035

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

28th Feb 2015

Source

217, The Wine Advocate

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is an absolutely distinctive wine and one unlike this producer has ever released. It feels radically different in terms of concentration, intensity and complexity. I was blown away by the beautiful and profound sense of inner harmony on display here. The wine puts on an epic showing of aromas that span from the simple ripe cherry and blackcurrant to the most ethereal tones of balsam herb, root beer and licorice. In between, are hearty aromas of cured tobacco and smoked meat. It really has it all along the entire Sangiovese spectrum. In the mouth, the wine offers similar complexity with thick extraction backed by sweet and sour layers of fruit and tannic structure. If you are looking for outstanding Brunello, look no further. This is one of the top three wines of the vintage.

Kirsch, rose petal, pomegranate, exotic spices and mint are woven together in a fabric of notable class in the 2011 Tignanello. An exotic wine that captures the essence of the year, the 2011 is endowed with magnificent complexity, nuance and class. The silky, polished finish makes the 2011 incredibly appealing today, but the wines from this site have always aged very well. The 2011 is going to need time to shed some of its baby fat, but it will always remain extroverted and racy to the core. I can't wait to see how the 2011 ages.

MONICA LARNER: 96

ANTONIO GALLONI: 91

Cerbaiona's 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the protagonists of the vintage. There is no denying the sheer beauty and focus of this wine. It makes a fabulous first impact with super sharp tones of wild berry, cola, balsam herb, flint and crushed oyster shell. Those drying mineral notes leave a lasting impression. In the mouth, this wine is super elegant, tight and delicately nuanced. Unfortunately, I have not had the best track record with aged Brunello from Cerbaiona (ten years or more) personally, but I am hopeful that a wine of this caliber and depth will restore my faith. No matter what the aging trajectory...

Rating

95

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2018 - 2035

Reviewed by

Monica Larner

Issue Date

29th Jun 2015

Source

219, The Wine Advocate

With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the 2011 Langhe Sperss is a wine of profound beauty. This is a velvety and caressing expression with dark fruit layers followed by kirsch, cassis, leather, balsam herb and white truffle. The Gaja family decided to move their bottling date forward in order to preserve the integrity and freshness of fruit in this warm vintage. This move has helped to avoid overripe sensations. In fact, Langhe Sperss seems fresh and tonic. This bodes exceptionally well for its aging potential.