2022 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

2022 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $100 and overChiantiItalyKevin VogtSangioveseTuscany

Antinori

Tignanello 2022
Tuscany, Italy

2022 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

Few wines have altered the course of Italian winemaking as profoundly as Tignanello. Born on a sunlit hillside in the heart of Chianti Classico, this legendary bottling challenged tradition at a time when convention ruled. The 2022 Tignanello offers a modern expression of that breakthrough, shaped by decades of vision and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

That transformation took shape through deliberate and radical choices. Tignanello was among the first Tuscan wines to age Sangiovese in small oak barrels and to incorporate Bordeaux varieties, decisions that challenged prevailing doctrine and unlocked new layers of depth and precision. Together, these choices established a style that balanced tradition with innovation and set a new global benchmark.

The 2022 vintage brings that pioneering spirit into sharp focus. An extended growing season allowed the fruit to reach full maturity, resulting in a wine defined by balance rather than force. Sangiovese leads with energy and structure, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc add dimension and contour. Aged for sixteen months in French and Hungarian oak, the wine emerges layered and composed, its power carried with ease by polished perfection.

Antinori
Tignanello 2022
Tuscany, Italy

Your Price: $169.99

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“Rich and fruit-forward, the Marchesi Antinori 2022 Tignanello very much respects the vintage that tends to deliver more concentration and volume overall. It delivers extra fruit weight with a velvety, satiny feel over a generous mouthfeel. Tignanello offers blackcurrant and cherry, but there is a mineral note that keeps things focused. This is a beautiful expression of the vintage, with excellent work done to execute soft tannins, texture and length.”

97 Points

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50ChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Bibbiano

Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
Vigna del Capannino
Tuscany, Italy 2020

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

From a mere seven hectares of the storied 19th-century estate of Bibbiano rises the 2020 Vigna del Capannino: an extraordinary expression of Tuscany’s soul. Perched atop a compact, clay-rich plateau, this vineyard captures the drama of one of Italy’s most revered terroirs. The naturally dense soils lend the wine profound structure and a chiseled mineral backbone, while the west-facing exposure coaxes the depth and intensity that define this vintage.

The power of Vigna del Capannino begins with its singular focus: 100% Sangiovese Grosso. This clone, selected and refined over decades, produces fruit that embodies both the energy of the vintage and the elegance of its lineage. In 2020, the grapes achieved perfect balance, allowing the wine to capture a full spectrum of flavor.

After harvest, the wine underwent a patient élevage of 24 months, divided between neutral cement and fine French and Slavonian oak, followed by a half-year of bottle rest. This unhurried maturation refined the wine’s natural intensity into harmony. The result is a Chianti Classico of rare depth, with tannins that are taut yet silken, framing a finish that lingers with quiet authority.

Bibbiano
Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
Vigna del Capannino
Tuscany, Italy 2020

Your Price: $42

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“Ripe strawberries, raspberries, red licorice, moist bark and wet stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and juicy with crunchy tannins and chalky texture. Vivid acidity keeps the wine nervy. Racy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

94 Points

2020 Castello di Ama Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

2020 Castello di Ama Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

with No Comment $60-$70ChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Castello di Ama

Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
San Lorenzo 2020

2020 Castello di Ama Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

Castello di Ama stands as a pillar of excellence in Chianti Classico, redefining the boundaries of this celebrated region. Renowned for crafting Sangiovese-dominant blends that consistently earn high-90s scores, the estate’s legacy reflects the visionary spirit of its founders.

In 1976, four Roman families recognized the untapped potential of a magnificent 55-hectare estate in Tuscany. Marco Pallanti, who joined in 1982 as Viticulturist and Winemaker, became a cornerstone of its success. His innovative approach propelled Castello di Ama to global acclaim. Notably, during his presidency of the Chianti Classico Consortium (2006-2012), he spearheaded the creation of the “Gran Selezione” category, setting a new benchmark for quality within the appellation.

The 2020 San Lorenzo Gran Selezione embodies the brilliance of its terroir. Crafted primarily from Sangiovese, with subtle accents of Malvasia Nera and Merlot, this wine achieves a sublime balance of vibrancy, elegance, and structure. Blessed by a near-perfect growing season, the 2020 vintage yielded fruit of exceptional character. The result is a wine of profound depth and poise, where juicy acidity and a seamless texture converge with a powerful yet graceful expression of Tuscany’s finest vineyards.

Castello di Ama
Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
San Lorenzo 2020

Your Price: $69.99

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“The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is fabulous. It offers up a compelling mix of blackberry, graphite, crushed rocks, spice, lavender and black pepper, showing striking inner sweetness, gorgeous mid-palate pliancy and mid-blowing balance, all in a medium-bodied style that will be approachable with minimal cellaring. San Lorenzo remains an archetype for contemporary Chianti Classico. Production is down about 30% in 2020 because of stringent selection.”

95 Points

2019 Dievole Petrignano Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

2019 Dievole Petrignano Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiChiantiKevin VogtTuscanyUSA

DIEVOLE PETRIGNANO

CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY 2019

2019 Dievole Petrignano Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

Dievole is a renowned winery in the heart of Tuscany in the Chianti Classico region near Castelnuovo Berardenga. Celebrated for exceptional wines and a commitment to sustainable winemaking practices, the estate has a rich history dating back to the 11th century.

The winery’s flagship wine, Dievole Chianti Classico DOCG, is outstanding and hails from the 2019 vintage, a year the Wine Spectator describes as producing “fresh, balanced reds with finesse and the structure to age.” 

Dievole’s Chianti Classico wines effortlessly showcase the region’s quintessential characteristics; combined with an outstanding growing season and the DOCG’s aging regulations, this wine is already shining brightly.

DIEVOLE PETRIGNANO
CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY 2019

Your Price: $28

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“Petrignano is a new wine for Dievole, the result of the estate’s collaboration with Chilean soil specialist, Pedro Parra. It comes from a recently planted 15ha site between 300 and 330 metres above sea level, distinguished by an abundance of limestone near the surface. The nose is flinty and iron-speckled, giving way to sun-soaked wild berries. It balances the generous warmth of the south with freshness and long, chalky tannins, sneaking some vibrant acidity in there too.”

91 Points

2019 Castello Romitorio Colli Sensi Chianti Tuscany

2019 Castello Romitorio Colli Sensi Chianti Tuscany

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

CASTELLO ROMITORIO

COLLI SENESI CHIANTI
TUSCANY 2019

2019 Castello Romitorio Colli Sensi Chianti Tuscany
Italian artist Sandro Chia believes the best expressions of art and wine thrive with a minimalistic approach. This philosophy is a guiding principle for his wines, and his estate is becoming known for producing wines of superb quality, character, and value. Sandro purchased Castello Romitorio in 1984 and initiated a complete restoration of the historic property that previously served as a Roman temple, fortress, monastery, castle, and manor house.
 
Colli Senesi is the Southernmost subregion of Chianti DOCG with warmer conditions and slightly more stringent production rules requiring a minimum of 75% Sangiovese in the blend resulting in more substantial, fuller-bodied wines. The 2019 Chianti Colli Senesi is 100% Sangiovese and encompasses the winery’s vision of artistic exploration and commitment to excellence and sustainability. 
 
CASTELLO ROMITORIO
COLLI SENESI CHIANTI
TUSCANY 2019
 
Your Price: $24
 
“Castello Romitorio 2019 Chianti Colli Senesi opens with delicate notes of rose petals, violets, ripe red cherry, ground nutmeg, dried sage, and black tea leaves. The wine has flavors of cranberry, red plum, wild strawberry, and white pepper with vibrant acidity and silky tannins. This beautifully balanced, classic wine is easy-drinking and effortlessly over-delivers for the price.”
94 Points
2018 Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva

220520 2018 Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva

with No Comment $30-$40ChiantiChiantiKevin VogtTuscanyUSA

BIBBIANO

CHIANTI CLASSICO
RISERVA 2018

2018 Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva
Tenuta di Bibbiano lies in the historic center of the Chianti Classico DOCG, where wine has been a part of the culture for thousands of years. Two brothers, Tommaso and Federico Marrocchesi Marzi, own the winery, and their family has lived on the property for over 150 years in harmony with nature by incorporating organic farming methods.
 
The University of Florence helped identify several different soil types and aspects used to select the proper indigenous clone for each site, with Sangiovese Grosso reigning supreme. The Chianti Classico Riserva is 100% Sangiovese Grosso aged 18 months, half in concrete and half in French oak, creating a balanced integration of complex flavors and offering remarkable quality at this price level.
 
BIBBIANO
CHIANTI CLASSICO
RISERVA 2018
 
Your Price: $34
 
 
“Iron and sanguine elements complement cherry and plum flavors in this old-school red. Loam, tobacco and leafy underbrush elements mingle with dense, dusty tannins as this unwinds through the finish. Best from 2023 through 2032. 420 cases imported”
92 Points
2019 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan Tuscany, Italy

2019 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan Tuscany, Italy

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiItalyKevin VogtSyrahTuscany

CASTELLO ROMITORIO

2019 ROMITORO
SUPER TUSCAN
TUSCANY, ITALY

2019 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan Tuscany, Italy
Castello di Romitorio’s history is extensive, beginning as a temple in Roman times with many transformations before its most recent renovation in the 1980s into a winery and art workshop by the owner and Italian artist Sandro Chia. Sandro believes the best expressions of art and wine thrive with a minimalistic approach and that natural progression should never be altered but rather enhanced.
 
The Romitoro IGT encompasses indigenous French varietals, proving that these varieties grow incredibly well in Tuscany, producing high-quality wines. The 2019 Castello di Romitorio “Romitoro” comingles Syrah and Petit Verdot, in a classic and refreshing style that scored 93 points from Robert Parker and James Suckling, offering incomparable value at $25.
 
CASTELLO ROMITORIO
2019 ROMITORO
SUPER TUSCAN
TUSCANY, ITALY
 
Your Price: $25
 
 
“The Castello Romitorio 2019 RomiTòro is a generous Tuscan blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah… This is a terrific value from a vintage that delivers excellent balance, intensity and richness. That beautiful concentration is what drives this wine, imparting dark fruit flavors, plum, spice and sweet tobacco along the way. This was a terrific vintage in both Maremma and Montalcino, the two areas where Filippo Chia makes wine.”
93 Points
 
“Plums and blackberries with black-mushroom and dark bark undertones. Full-bodied with round tannins and a delicious, juicy finish. This needs time to come together, but already so pretty. Drink or hold.”
93 Points
2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

with No Comment $30-$40ChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

VILLA TRASQUA

NERENTO CHIANTI CLASSICO
2013 GRAN SELEZIONE 

2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Trasqua is a historic estate mentioned in land registers and inheritances with intrinsic links to viticulture since 1000 AD. Their winemaking revolves around time and patience, guided by the rhythm of nature, sustainable vision, and trust in their land. Nerento is the oldest vineyard on the Estate, planted with 100% Sangiovese and known for its essence of terroir and celebrated Alberese (limestone) and Galestro (marl) soils.
 
Fermentation takes place in 5000-liter wooden barrels, followed by aging for 30 months in 500-liter French tonneaux, allowing the tannins to soften and become well-integrated without the oak masking the purity of the fruit. Their flagship Gran Selezione Chianti embodies the Estate’s 1000+ year history, patience, and time-honored tradition, offering a remarkable balance of power and finesse, exceeding all expectations at this value price. 
 
VILLA TRASQUA
NERENTO CHIANTI CLASSICO
2013 GRAN SELEZIONE 
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“This shows a lovely balance between fresh orange peel and citrus and riper notes of treacle tart, tar, red licorice, tobacco and spices. Full body, a plush and velvety ball of tannins and a driven line of acidity, which carries this suave Chianti Classico through to a long, delightful finish. Drink in 2021.”
95 Points
2017 San Vicenti Chianti Classico Podere Di Stignano

2017 San Vicenti Chianti Classico Podere Di Stignano

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

SAN VICENTI

2017 CHIANTI CLASSICO
PODERE DI STIGNANO

2017 San Vicenti Chianti Classico Podere Di Stignano
As Chianti wines increased in popularity throughout the centuries, Chianti’s borders expanded, including land that didn’t have the same terroir as historical Chianti, therefore Chianti Classico DOCG was created to protect the original wine’s identity. San Vincenti is in the region’s heart, overlooking villas and farmhouses among vines planted on gently rolling hills protected by the Patron Saint of Wine, St. Vincent, whom the winery was named after.
 
San Vincenti Chianti Classico Podere di Stignano is an authentic example from this ancient wine-producing district, encompassing the region’s cultural commitment to crafting world-class wines. By law, Chianti Classico must be at least 80% Sangiovese. San Vincenti’s Chianti Classico is 100% single varietal and displays the pure integrity of Sangiovese in a crowd-pleasing and memorable style that exceeds expectations at this price level.
 
SAN VICENTI
2017 CHIANTI CLASSICO
PODERE DI STIGNANO
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The San Vicente Podere di Stignano Chianti Classico 2017 begins with an alluring nose of tart cherries, licorice, Christmas cake, and geraniums. The palate mirrors the nose and includes focused red currants, red plums, dried sage, cocoa powder, and spice. The finish is bright and fresh, with a satisfying, lingering finish.”
92 Points
2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

with No Comment $30-$40ChiantiChiantiKevin VogtTuscanyUSA

BIBBIANO

GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO 

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino
Bibbiano cemented its spot on my top 5 wines-of-the-year list in 2020 with its explosive richness, deep-seated power, and captivating elegance. A month later, it earned a monstrous 95 point score in the Wine Spectator, which referenced the wine’s escalating power. Each time I taste it, the wine not only stands up to Italian, French and American producers, but it dominates just about everything in its path. If you want to taste an exceptionally high-quality Chianti at a great price, this is it. 
 
Making a dramatic entrance from one of Tuscany’s best vintages in nearly two decades, this stunning wine was created from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged for 30 months before bottling. On the palate, the wine is intensely captivating and with a satin texture and long resonant finish. 
 
Production requirements for Gran Selezione wines insist on sourcing the grapes from 100% Estate grown fruit or selecting the Estate’s best parcels. It also has higher extract restrictions and extended oak aging requirements. Gran Selezione, which means Great Selection, is the pinnacle of quality for Chianti Classico.
 
BIBBIANO
GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“This red starts out smooth, displaying ripe black cherry and plum flavors, along with earth, iron and woodsy elements. Gains power as this builds on the palate, ending in an extended aftertaste of loam, iron and wild herb accents… 250 cases imported.”
95 Points
 
“Restrained, fresh pomegranate fruit with slightly nutty character, earthy-strawberry depth and minerality. Bright acidity and savoury character, firm and chalky, with natural and integrated freshness. Andrew Jefford: A gorgeously teased, poised aromatic ripeness here: subtle incense spice just hidden behind the refined, perfumed plums; a hint of orange peel. Shapely, fresh, vivid and vigorous: super purity, admirable finesse.” 
95 Points
 
“…shows classic lines and balanced intensity with a nice spot of acidity and plenty of dark berry fruit to soften it out. The 2016 vintage is a classic one in Tuscany, and that’s why you get so much cooling cherry, forest berry and cassis on this versatile Gran Selezione wine. Drink 2021-2032”
94 Points