2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $100 and overChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Antinori 

Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

Tenuta Tignanello, a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement, has redefined Italian winemaking with its bold innovations. The estate’s pioneering spirit, evident in its early adoption of barrique aging for Sangiovese and its masterful blending of Bordeaux varieties, has shaped the future of Italian viticulture.

Tignanello and Solaia, the estate’s iconic wines, stand as benchmarks of Italian excellence. The 2021 Tignanello, recently ranked #3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, beautifully reflects this legacy.

The 2021 vintage is a masterpiece of balance and complexity, born from an extended growing season that allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. This wine offers a harmonious blend of power and finesse, with deep, layered flavors and a polished structure. Aged for 16 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, the wine showcases the estate’s signature Sangiovese-dominant blend, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

With exceptional critical acclaim and immense aging potential, the 2021 Tignanello is a must-have for collectors and showcases Tenuta Tignanello’s enduring vision.

Antinori 
Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

Your Price: $169.99

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“Laced with pure cherry, strawberry, graphite and tobacco aromas and flavors, this red is beautifully supported by a backbone of vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. Everything is framed by vanilla and toasty oak in the best sense, revealing harmony, with a long, orange-tinged finish and, yes, even drinkability at this stage. Best to give this a few more years in the bottle. Best from 2027 through 2045.”

97 Points, #3 Top 100 Wines of 2024

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

with No Comment $100 and overBrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Luce

Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino 2018

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

In 1980, Brunello di Montalcino became Italy’s inaugural wine to receive the prestigious DOCG designation, solidifying its position as the crown jewel of Montalcino’s winemaking tradition. Nestled within Tuscany’s rolling hills, this enchanting village, where vineyards intertwine with ancient olive groves, boasts a unique microclimate that nurtures exceptional viticulture. Montalcino’s harmonious blend of landscape and heritage yields some of the world’s most celebrated wines.

At Tenuta Luce, each facet of the winemaking process is approached with profound respect for the land, the vineyards, and the artisans who bring it to life. The 2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino embodies this dedication. Blessed by a temperate summer devoid of excessive rain or scorching heat, the grapes achieved optimal phenolic ripeness, developing layers of complexity. Following fermentation in cement tanks, the wine matured in Slavonian oak barrels, resulting in a luxuriously smooth red that encapsulates the richness and elegance of Montalcino.

Luce’s 2018 vintage offers a bold and captivating expression of the year, characterized by its “beautiful texture and balance,” as commended by James Suckling, a renowned Italian wine critic.

Luce
Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino 2018
Retails at: $150

Your Price: $110

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“A finely structured and focused Brunello with a complex array of cherries, blackberries, dried roses, bark, licorice and hints of praline. Iodine and oyster shells, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Beautiful texture and balance. Remains fresh and fine until the end. Try in 2025.”

96 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

2020 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Superiore Aia Vecchia Winery

2020 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Superiore Aia Vecchia Winery

with No Comment $40-$50ItalyKevin VogtProprietary RedTuscany

SOR UGO

SUPER TUSCAN 2020
BOLGHERI SUPERIORE
AIA VECCHIA WINERY

2020 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Superiore Aia Vecchia Winery
The Pellegrini family members have been prominent growers in Tuscany for several generations, selling their fruit to other wineries, and after replanting their vineyards in 1995, they established their portfolio of small-lot Super Tuscan blends focusing on Bordeaux grape varieties. The Aia Vecchia estate, named after an ancient building standing in the center of the property, is located near the Tyrrhenian coast with a favorable microclimate combined with ideal soils for producing stunning wines. 
 
The Bolgheri DOC, home to Italian legends Ornellaia, Sassicaia, and Tignanello, was established in 1994 but previously gained recognition under the Super Tuscan monikerbecause producers in the region were defying the Italian wine laws by incorporating international varieties, particularly those from Bordeaux. 
 
The Aia Vecchia 2020 Sor Ugo is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in barriques, plus another six months in the bottle, resulting in a richly layered, powerful red with stunning complexity.
 
SOR UGO
SUPER TUSCAN 2020
BOLGHERI SUPERIORE
AIA VECCHIA WINERY
 
 
 
“The 2020 Sor Ugo is packed with blackberry, cloves, leather, menthol, licorice and chocolate. Rich and resonant in the glass, with tons of energy, Sor Ugo has plenty to offer. The substantial, expansive finish is especially of note. I would prefer to drink this over the next decade or so.”
93 Points
2018 Bulzaga Epipogio Romaga Sangiovese Superiore

2018 Bulzaga Epipogio Romaga Sangiovese Superiore

with No Comment $30 and underItalyKevin VogtSangioveseTuscany

BULZAGA

EPIPOGIO 2018
ROMAGNA SANGIOVESE SUPERIORE

2018 Bulzaga Epipogio Romaga Sangiovese Superiore
Cantina Bulzaga is located in Romagna, Italy, looking up to the Brisighellesi hills that create the natural border between Romagna and Tuscany. The winery’s roots run deep within the region, with each wine named for a flower found in the Apennines. Epipogio gets its name from the epipogium flower or ghost orchid.
 
Bulzaga’s team organically farms, with only vines that strongly connect to the terroir with distinct varietal character selected for wine production. The 2018 vintage is 100% Sangiovese aged for eight months in cement vats before bottling and exudes aromatic purity with earthy notes, fresh fruit, spice, and everything nice. 
 
As a side note, our panel tasted this wine blind without any prior knowledge of the wine’s value price, and we couldn’t believe it was only a $20 bottle.
 
BULZAGA
EPIPOGIO 2018
ROMAGNA SANGIOVESE SUPERIORE
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
 
“The Bulzaga 2018 Epipogio Romagna Sangiovese Superiore opens with sultry notes of rosemary, sour cherry, cranberry, earth, black tea, and cigar box. On the palate, the wine is focused, with flavors of black cherry, cranberry, black tea, and peppercorns. The wine’s fruity, savory, and spicy characteristics are uniquely balanced in a rustic Tuscan fashion and provide an incredible drinking experience.”
94 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
2020 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan

2020 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

CASTELLO ROMITORIO

ROMITORO SUPER TUSCAN
TUSCANY 2020

2020 Castello Romitorio Super Tuscan
Castello Romitorio was purchased by Italian artist Sandro Chia in 1984, who initiated a complete restoration of the historic property that has served as a Roman temple, fortress, monastery, castle, and manor house. 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.
 
Toscana IGT allows for international varieties, most commonly French, proving Tuscany has incredible potential for world-class wines outside their indigenous varieties. The 2020 ‘Romitòro’ is a blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah that encompasses the winery’s vision of artistic exploration and dedication to excellence.
 
CASTELLO ROMITORIO
ROMITORO SUPER TUSCAN
TUSCANY 2020
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $27
 
 
“The 2020 RomiTòro is a blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah, and it does a terrific job of capturing the exuberance and jovial qualities of sunny Tuscany. The wine shows layers of candied cherries, crème de cassis, sweet almond paste and even a touch of crushed mineral or aspirin. This 70,000-bottle release is creamy and rich in texture, with lots of plump primary flavors and absolutely no rough edges.”
93 Points
 
“The 2020 Romitoro is packed full of balanced pleasure. It’s dark yet also rich and spicy, with blue-toned florals giving way to currants, worn leather and smoke. This is elegant and plush on the palate, with masses of tart wildberries energized by zesty acidity while giving way to inner rose perfumes.  The 2020 finishes with amazing length and potency, as it leaves a staining of liquid lavender and sweet violets. The Romitoro, a blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah, is showing beautifully today.” 
92 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
2018 Frescobaldi Castello Di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva

2018 Frescobaldi Castello Di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

FRESCOBALDI

CASTELLO DI NIPOZZANO
CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA 2018

2018 Frescobaldi Castello Di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva
Castello di Nipozzano is an ancient stronghold of Florence over 1000 years old and the most prized of the Frescobaldi family’s land holdings. Historical documents about the fine wines of Nipozzano date back to the Renaissance period, when famous artists such as Donatello were among the regular clientele.
 
Frescobaldi wines represent the heritage of the Tuscan landscape, and their Sangiovese-dominate 2018 Chianti Rufina Riserva has an authentic, rustic Italian charm. Fermented in stainless steel before maturing for a minimum of two years barriques, this remarkable 96 Point Chianti Riserva enchants with penetrating fruit, classic spice, vast complexity, and structure that’s easy to enjoy for less than $30.
 
FRESCOBALDI
CASTELLO DI NIPOZZANO
CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA 2018
 
Your Price: $26.99
 
 
“A crunchy Rùfina mainly from 1970s Sangiovese vines with dashes of both local heritage and international varieties, too. Fermentation in stainless steel precedes 24 months in concrete and large, second-fill oak vats. Its bright scarlet hues mirror equally bright and deliciously savoury fruit. The compact palate provides coherent interplay between fruit and tannin with no sense of overripeness or oaky angularity. It’s mouthwatering now, but resist so its texture evens out fully. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
96 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