Rare Italians

wines

This gorgeous, fragrant wine opens with classic Sangiovese scents of violet, rose, perfumed red berry, new leather and a whiff of baking spice. The elegant, radiant palate delivers crushed Marasca cherry, ripe strawberry, cinnamon, black tea and a hint of pipe tobacco. Firm, ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity offer an age-worthy structure and impeccable balance. It’s already stunning but will evolve for decades. Drink 2020–2050. Kerin O’Keefe | 100 KOThis gorgeous, fragrant wine opens with classic Sangiovese scents of violet, rose, perfumed red berry, new leather and a whiff of baking spice. The elegant, radiant palate delivers crushed Marasca cherry, ripe strawberry, cinnamon, black tea and a hint of pipe tobacco. Firm, ultrafine tannins and bright acidity offer an age-worthy structure and impeccable balance. It’s already stunning but will evolve for decades. Drink 2020–2050.Wine Enthusiast | 100 WEThe 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is slow to open and I spent a good amount of extra time with this wine as a result. It was well worth the wait. The intensity inches up in baby steps. With time, the wine is splendent and focused with a very direct and impactful delivery of aromas. It also shows a specifically floral personality with dried rose petal or blue violet that I did not recognize in most of the other Brunellos from this classic vintage. There is power and determination behind those feminine aromas. The wine makes a lasting impression in the mouth, thanks to the textual tightness of its tannins and the refreshing crispness of the acidity. The Riserva sees fruit sourced from Il Greppo’s oldest vines (25-years-old and more) and the wine ages in traditional oak casks for three years. Some 13,600 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPIn this acclaimed vintage for Montalcino, Il Greppo does not disappoint. The harvest took place on 19 September, midway between the earliest and latest harvests. This Riserva shines for its elegance. Floral with violet hints and crisp cherry fruit, black pepper and smoky woodland aromas, its distinguished character is determined by perfectly ripe velvety tannins with a textured palate and refreshing acidity. It will last due to the balance rather than its power, demonstrating the fresh signature style of Il Greppo.Decanter | 96 DECAromas of mushrooms and cherries, together with cedar and cherry wood. Then it moves to rose petals and stems. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and slightly raised acidity that adds a balsamic undertone. Black truffle, walnut skin and dried cherry. Savory finish. Historical character that takes you back in time to the year of production. Re-release March 2024. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 96 JSThe 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is just as compelling today as it was the many times I tasted it from cask with Franco Biondi Santi prior to his passing, although it naturally has less of the immediacy it had out of oak. Layered, silky and translucent, yet with remarkable depth, the 2010 Riserva is a wine of intensity, power and the classic austerity that has been such a signature of these Brunellos for the last several decades. Readers will have to be patient.Vinous Media | 95+ VMA perfumed nose of rose, cherry and strawberry notes introduces fruit, soy and leather flavors in this complex, ripe red, which is silky and balanced, revealing refined tannins and tobacco, spice and mineral elements on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.Wine Spectator | 95 WS

The 2010 Barolo Tre Tine from Giuseppe Rinaldi is stunning whatever way you look at it. This is everything you could wish for in a Barolo. It offers a cornucopia of aromas: an alluring mixture of red and black fruit, cedar, liquorice and a very subtle medicinal scent, all delivered with ethereal delineation. The palate is perfectly balanced, the tannins having melted a touch to render it perfectly drinkable, even if it constantly reminds you that it will continue to improve with bottle age. It is a long-term Barolo that is destined to give immense pleasure.Vinous Media | 97 VMMade with Nebbiolo from three top vineyard areas, this stunning wine boasts classic Barolo scents of rose, violet, red berry, leather and tilled soil. The vibrant palate delivers crushed black cherry and red raspberry accented with wild mint, white pepper, clove and sage. It has great energy, intensity and aging potential. Drink 2018-2040. Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOMade with Nebbiolo from three top vineyard areas, it boasts scents of rose, violet, red berry, leather and tilled soil. The vibrant palate delivers crushed black cherry and red raspberry accented with wild mint, white pepper, clove and sage. It has great energy, intensity and aging potential. Drink 2018–2040.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEJuicy cherry, raspberry and currant flavors are accented by flowers, tea and tobacco in this elegant, intense red. Long and harmonious, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, spice and mineral. Best from 2017 through 2032. 550 cases made, 240 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

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.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPOne of the many highlights in this vertical, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is exceptionally beautiful. Today, the 2010 comes across as refined and polished, with veins of bright acidity that give the wines its sense of energy, drive and polish. Over the last few months, the 2010 has begun to close in on itself. I can’t say that is surprising given how much stuffing there is. Readers lucky enough to own the 2010 are in for a real treat. When all is said and done, the 2010 is profound and riveting in every way.Antonio Galloni | 98 AGNo written review provided | 97 W&S