A Gold-Medal winner at the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards.

TASTING NOTE: Ripe melon, mango and pineapple nose. Round, fresh palate of white and yellow fruit. Wonderful, bright acidity. Great lingering freshness. (Judges panel, www.decanter.com, 2007)

Al Poggio is a unique blend of Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca and Pinot Grigio. The grapes are hand-picked and lightly pressed, preserving the pure fruit flavours. Sixty percent of the wine is fermented in stainless steel with the remaining amount fermented in new and one-year-old oak. The result is an impeccably balanced, enchanting wine featuring refreshing apple, peach and honey notes. It's dry, medium-bodied and complex with a creamy texture and a long finish.

D'Alessandro blends Chardonnay and Viognier, sourced from estate-owned hillside vineyards in Cortona, to craft this signature white wine. It features apple, lemon and apricot aromas and flavours balanced by creamy vanilla and toasty oak. Enjoy this dry, medium-bodied white with wild mushroom ravioli or sweet potato casserole.

Villa Matilde Camarato  2001
DOC Falerno del Massico  
47753    (XD)            750 mL    $49   

TASTING NOTE: Certainly 2001 was a good year as it gave this coastal Aglianico, crafted with impeccable precision by the estate's consultant Riccardo Cotarello, all the power and elegance it needs. It has a dark ruby hue. The nose is of rare fascination, with myrtle and incense that enhance its sweet cherry and nutmeg. The palate is big and meaty, well supported by acidity, showing delicately oaky, nicely spicy and long.  Score - out of 3. Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2005) 

Il Feuduccio is credited with raising Montepulciano to new and dazzling heights. 2001 was a terrific vintage and this irresistible medium-bodied wine displays lovely black cherry and plum notes along with a streak of minerality and a measured amount of oak. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years with rack of lamb.

"With 40 or so years of experience under his belt, [Elio Altare] is a standard bearer for Langhe's noble farming tradition where people are proud of what they do, knuckle down and get their hands dirty in the vineyard and cellar every day yet always have time to make visitors feel welcome." (Gambero Ross Italian Wines 2007) This super-rich Barolo, from the hot 2003 vintage, is packed with seductive black fruit, smoke, spice and tar notes. While you could decant it for two hours and enjoy with rare beef dishes now it should cellar beautifully for 5 to 10 years.

Elio Altare La Villa Langhe  2004
DOC  
51185    (XD)            750 mL    $110   

TASTING NOTE: Although I am typically not a huge fan of Nebbiolo/Barbera blends, Altare has turned out another gem in his 2004 Langhe La Villa. This blend of equal parts Nebbiolo and Barbera comes across as bigger and more structured than the Arborina. It is expansive on the palate, where it offers plenty of dark, jammy fruit on a firmly structured frame, with outstanding length and terrific overall balance. Although its plump, engaging personality is hard to resist today another year or two of cellaring will help the wine come together a bit more. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.  Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, April 2007) 

Elio Altare Langhe Arborina  2004
DOC  
51177    (XD)            750 mL    $110   

TASTING NOTE: The nebbiolo-based Arborina '04 is warm and mellow, sweet in its very ripe berry fruit and succulent, with a densely textured palate and a finish revealing alcohol and clear oaky notes.  Score - out of 3. Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2007) 

Marengo Barolo Brunate  2003
DOCG  
51193    (XD)            750 mL    $63   

TASTING NOTE: Shows dried berry aromas, with mushroom undertones. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long finish. Impressive for the vintage. Layered, rich and balanced. Best after 2010.  Score - 92. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007)

Mauro Molino Barolo Vigna Conca  2003
DOCG  
50666    (XD)            750 mL    $89   

TASTING NOTE: Has focused aromas of raspberry and blackberry, with vanilla undertones. Full-bodied, chewy and powerful. Very structured and a little hard, but will come around nicely. Best after 2010.  Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007) 

Mauro Molino Barolo VIGNA Gallinotto  2003
DOCG  
51227    (XD)            750 mL    $49   

TASTING NOTE: Has pretty strawberry, lemon and mineral aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine caressing tannins and a medium finish. Needs some time. Best after 2008.  Score - 88. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15 2007) 

Moccagatta claims about 11 hectares of vineyards around the towns of Barbaresco and Neive. This 100% Nebbiolo is sourced from the Basarin vineyard which is near Neive. It features aromas of ripe black fruits, currants and spice, a dry, medium body with a rich mouth-feel and firm tannins. It's well-balanced with a long finish and should drink well over the next 5-7 years.

The Bric Balin is a powerful expression of Nebbiolo. This intense, complex and full-bodied Barbaresco is packed with aromas and flavours of smoke, tar, toasted oak and dark ripe fruit. It can be enjoyed now with game or roasted meats, but 5 to 10 years in the cellar will reward the patient. The Gambero Rosso Italian Wines guide has not yet reviewed this particular wine but it is noteworthy that it has awarded previous vintages of this wine Two Glasses ( ) and even its highest honour of Three Glasses ( ).

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Asili Riserva  2000
DOCG  
39198    (XD)            750 mL    $53   

TASTING NOTE: Medium translucent red The Asili is a thoroughly convincing, highly nuanced wine, with its nose of flowers and spices and sweet, seductive, dark fruit, underbrush and mineral flavors, closing with great length and harmony. It should be accessible fairly early but also age gracefully for ten or more years.  Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005) 

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora Riserva  2000
DOCG  
39206    (D)            750 mL    $53   

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of plum, cigar box and cedar follow through to a full-bodied palate with velvety tannins and a focused, fruity finish. Juicy finish. Best after 2007.  Score - 92. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 31, 2005) 

Argiano Brunello di Montalcino  2000
 DOCG 
41400    (XD)            1500 mL    $159   

TASTING NOTE: Tobacco, earth and tree bark make for a bouquet that doesn’t hit you over the head. Still, it has red fruit galore. The palate is tight, ripe and chock full of proper acidity and tannins. A lively wine with vanilla and oak coming on late. Solid stuff.  Score - 90. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, July 1, 2005) 

Argiano Brunello di Montalcino  2001
DOCG  
392076    (XD)            1500 mL    $158   

TASTING NOTE: Argiano’s deeply-colored 2001 Brunello di Montalcino offers a pretty, aromatic nose along with notes of super-ripe fruit, sweet toasted oak, vanilla, tobacco and earthiness on a medium bodied frame of notable length and elegance, closing with fine tannins. It strikes a nice balance between modern and traditional styles, offering the flavors of the former and the structure of the latter. Several recent bottles have all been outstanding. It should be at its finest between 2008 and 2016.  Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2006) 

CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO  1999
DOCG  
579094    (XD)            375 mL    $35   

TASTING NOTE: Intense aromas of wild blackberries, with hints of minerals and wet earth. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and plenty of pretty fruit flavors. Delicious and soft already. Best from 2005 through 2010.  Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, June 15, 2004) 

Carpineta Fontalpino Do Ut Des  2004
IGT Toscana  
48827    (D)            750 mL    $54   

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of blackberry and sour cherry, with hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. A bit tight now, but a solid wine. Best after 2007.  Score - 90. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 31, 2006) 

Carpineto ages their Chianti Classico Riserva in various sizes of French and Slovenian oak barrels for at least 12 months before bottling. The wine is then further aged in bottle in Carpineto's temperature-controlled cellars before release. The resulting wine is dry, full-bodied with ripe raspberry, toasty oak and stony mineral characteristics along with velvety tannins that lead to a long finish. Enjoy 2008-2014.

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico La Casuccia  2004
DOCG  
39156    (XD)            3000 mL    $1019   

TASTING NOTE: The 2004 Chianti Classico La Casuccia (80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot) is a massive, powerful wine. It presents an open-knit, super-ripe nose followed by layers of ripe dark blueberries, violets, licorice and toasted oak flavors on a big, structured frame, with outstanding length and a lingering suggestion of sweetness on the finish. It is the more accessible of the estate’s top two selections in 2004. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.  Score - 92. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, June 2007)

"Ruffino’s Montalcino estate, Greppone Mazzi is—in our opinion—the source for the company’s best wine." (Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2007.) It's only since 1999 that Greppone Mazzi has been producing a Brunello Riserva using only the top grapes from the estate. 2001 was an outstanding vintage for Brunello and this impressive wine is built to last. It's full-bodied with layers of black cherry, plum, cigar box, spice and tar characteristics, vibrant acidity and chewy tannins. Enjoy from 2010-2021.

Il Bosco Syrah  2003
DOC Cortona  
(Luigi d'Alessandro)
39339    (D)            3000 mL    $295   

932483    (D)            1500 mL    $145     

Ranked #14 in Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2005.

TASTING NOTE: Powerful aromas of crushed black fruits, pepper and wet earth; just a hint of roasted meat. Full-bodied, chewy and rich, with a long, long finish. This is a fantastic Syrah. Like a great Hermitage. Best after 2008.  Score - 94. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 31 2005) 

LA SELVACCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO  2001
DOCG  
19430    (XD)            750 mL    $52   

TASTING NOTE: Zonin, in collaboration with Montalcino’s Tenuta di Sesta, has delivered a sexy wine with dark cherry fruit, mocha, leather, earth, white mushroom, exotic spice and an attractive menthol-like finish. The mouthfeel is tart, supple and persistent.  Score - 91. Wine Enthusiast, April 2006) 

LE FARNETE CARMIGNANO RISERVA  2001
DOCG  
(Enrico Pierazzuoli)
1321    (XD)            750 mL    $45   

TASTING NOTE: Intense aromas of blackberries, cherries and chocolate follow through to a full-bodied palate, with powerful blackberry, spice and tar character. Very velvety. Drink now through 2010.  Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 31, 2005) 

Le Macchiole Paleo  2002
DOC Bolgheri Rosso Superiore  
945667    (XD)            750 mL    $79   

TASTING NOTE: (100% Cabernet Franc) Red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of cherry, red berries and leather. Sweet, bright and focused, with very sound acidity framing the rich red fruit flavors. Juicy and elegantly styled. This smooth and persistent red is one of the most successful wines of Italy's 2002 vintage.  Score - 90 (+?). (Ian D'Agata, International Wine Cellar, Sept./Oct. 2006)

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia  2005
DOC Bolgheri Rosso
  
51482    (XD)            1500 mL    $125   

51490    (XD)            3000 mL    $255   

The latest vintage of Ornellaia's second wine is comprised of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Sourced mainly from the estate's younger vines, the wines are aged separately for 12 months in barriques before the final assemblage is created. The final wine is then aged an additional 5 months. Though no reviews for the 2005 vintage were available at press time, the previous three vintages have all received scores of 90 or above from Wine Spectator. Large format bottle will mature more slowly, so these wines will be best after 2010.

Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile de Montepulciano Riserva  2001
DOCG  
(Ruffino)

672493    (XD)            750 mL    $45   

TASTING NOTE: Ruffino’s investment — a new winery and vineyards — in Montepulciano shows in this Riserva. Their winemaking team, led by Carmelo Simoncelli, has crafted a richly layered wine, which retains what I call “not just fruit” character that is the captivating essence of Tuscan wines in general. Its complexity and suaveness keeps you coming back for more.
Score - 94. (Michael Apstein, www.winereviewonline.com, June 6, 2006)

Ornellaia Le Volte  2005
IGT Toscana
  
51458    (XD)            1500 mL    $56   

51474    (XD)            3000 mL    $119   

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Le Volte (50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) delivers considerable pleasure in its fresh, vinous aromatics, perfumed sweet dark fruit and irresistibly soft-textured personality. The Sangiovese for Le Volte is purchased from local producers as finished wine and then blended with estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. General Manager/Agronomist Leonardo Raspini told me that, as opposed to 2004 when everything came easily, in 2005 his growers were forced to be more diligent as well as selective, resulting in higher quality wines despite the lower overall quality of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2011.  Score - 90. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, June 2007) 

Romitorio di Santedame  2003
IGT Toscana  
(Ruffino)
995183    (XD)            750 mL    $89   

TASTING NOTE: The 2003 Romitorio Tenuta di Santedame is easily the most interesting of these wines. A blend of 60% Colorino and 40% Merlot, it reveals complex, kaleidoscopic aromatics that develop beautifully in the glass leading to layers of sweet dark fruit, mint, herbs and toasted oak. Richly concentrated in the palate, it offers outstanding depth of expression and a long, sweet finish. Anticipated maturity 2009-2019.  Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, June 2007) 

RUFFINO DUCALE ORO Chianti Classico Riserva  2000
DOCG  
22939    (XD)            3000 mL    $199   

TASTING NOTE: The Riserva Ducale Oro '00 shows a thrillingly powerful fruit nose, on which wild berry notes blend perfectly with nuances of cinnamon and cloves. The dense, creamy mouthfeel of the excellent palate boasts fine-grained, well-gauged tannins and a pervasive rising finish.  Score - out of 3. Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2004) 

Abruzzo is poised to make dramatic inroads in export markets on the dual strengths of quantity and quality. [It] is now Italy's fifth most productive wine region, having surpassed both Piedmont and Tuscany and trailing only Veneto, Sicily, Puglia and Emilia Romagna … Stefania Pepe is the very talented daughter of one of the region's most famous winemakers [Emidio Pepe], and … she may indeed be capable of eclipsing the older generation. (Michael Franz, www.winereviewonline.com, July 11, 2006)

Lamborghini Campoleone  2003
IGT Umbria  
40956    (D)            1500 mL    $157   

TASTING NOTE: The 2003 vintage of Campoleone, from sangiovese and merlot, is striking in its intriguing, complex but not exaggeratedly ripe aromas, despite the year which was certainly not one of the coolest on record. The clear-cut tones of black berry fruit interweave with a delicate veining of balsam and are joined by hints of pencil lead and gamey sensations. What a great nose! The palate is deep, sweet, meaty and determinedly balanced even though the tannins are still rather firm.  Score - out of 3. (Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2006)