Red Wines

wines

Blueberry, blackberry and chocolate aromas yet subtle and perfumed. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and lots of structure. Shows depth and has a purpose. Needs time to come together soon. Try after 2027.James Suckling | 97 JSThe Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa offers a balanced presentation of candied cherry, dried fruit and toasted spice. This is a lovely and joyous wine with velvety soft tannins and good inner energy that adds dimension and depth to the mouthfeel. Vigna La Casa is a contemporary expression from Montalcino with extra fruit concentration and structure, and the results are carefully balanced throughout. Some 14,000 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa hails from the Montosoli hillside, facing the town of Montalcino. It’s youthfully moody and dark in the glass, slowly evolving with violet florals, crushed wild berries and sweet spice. Silky and pliant, it sweeps across the palate with juicy textural waves of mineral-drenched red fruits as inner florals resonate and grippy tannins mount toward the close. The Vigna La Casa tapers off long, structured and classically dry, leaving a licorice twang and hints of tart orange that curl the tongue. The future is very bright, but the 2019 will require serious patience.Vinous Media | 95 VMRipe and inviting, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna La Casa pours a deep ruby/red color and reveals intertwining notes of kirsch, fresh leather, dried roses, and sweet Mediterranean herbs. It’s elegant and full-bodied, with ripe tannins, a plush texture, and wonderful length that floats away gently. It’s a very attractive wine with a weightless feel and has an open window for enjoyment over the coming 10-12 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDOpening with aromas of raspberry compote, graphite, hay and botanical herb, the 2019 Caparzo La Casa is excellent. Focused and elegantly structured, the palate features pomegranate, cherry tart, licorice and mocha framed in taut, close-grained tannins. It’s balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2028–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOCaparzo’s flagship Brunello, La Casa is crafted from a 5 hectare vineyard on the hill of Montosoli. It spends a year in barriques before being transferred to larger, 30 hectolitre oak casks. In contrast with the estate bottling, La Casa is restrained and introspective in its youth. Subtle mocha and crushed allspice emerge, then eventually wild, red woodland berries. The palate is more effusive exhibiting a generous core of pure luscious raspberries imbued with vanilla and liquorice. Gravelly textured tannins remain tightly fastened demanding time to loosen. An appetising stony finish.Decanter | 94 DEC

The Casanova di Neri 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows thick fruit fabric with stitchings of underbrush, pressed rose, bright cherry, tobacco and balanced oak spice. This wine definitely has a special groove. It offers a ripe, round texture with good acidity followed by fine, chalky tannins. This is impressive quality for 109,600 bottles produced. In fact, this is one of the best village Brunellos from Giacomo Neri and his family made so far.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThe core of ripe cherry fruit is complemented by woodsy, mushroom, iron, spice and saline flavors in this intense red, with a long, resonant aftertaste. Though balanced, this could benefit from a few more years to really hit its sweet spot. Best from 2026 through 2042. 9,133 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSPouring a rich red color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino White Label takes on layered, savory aromas of leather, tobacco leaf, dried cherries, mocha, and a light rustic quality, although it’s very well-balanced. Medium to full-bodied, it’s pure and energetic, with rich, ripe concentration and ripe tannins. It’s approachable now and is a great entry into the vintage, with accessibility high since about 100,000 bottles were produced. It’s also a great value. Drink 2024-2034.Jeb Dunnuck | 93+ JDRedcurrants and lavender followed by layers of dried herbs and spices. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate with chewy tannins. Persistent long finish with some citrusy undertones. Yet young, healthy and concentrated. Very attractive now and in the future.James Suckling | 92 JS

Black cherries, black bark, blackberries and lavender. Medium- to full-bodied with juicy and polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Needs four or five years to open and come together. Best after 2027.James Suckling | 95 JSThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to take in its understated bouquet of dried roses, cedar shavings and incense. It’s soft and supple with depths of tart wild berry fruit guided by brisk acidity as hints of orange form along with a coating of fine tannins toward the close. This finishes classically dry and with admirable length, as grippy tannins pinch at the cheeks and a licorice tinge slowly fades. I’m happy to say I’m finding more energy and liveliness in the 2019 versus past vintages.Vinous Media | 92 VMThe 2019 Castelgiocondo Brunello has balsamic aromas of camphor that mingle with leather, forest floor, spice and hazelnut. Full-bodied and linear, the palate features coconut, roasted coffee bean, licorice and a hint of blood orange but it’s shy on fruit richness. Tightly woven, close-grained tannins provide the backbone and a drying finish. Drink 2028–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 90 KO

Darkly alluring and spicy, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino emanates from the glass with an earthy blend of crushed rocks, savory herbs, spiced blood orange and dried cherries. This soothes the palate with its soft textures and depths of wild berry fruit. Brisk acidity and mineral tones add lift but also depth. The 2019 finishes dramatically long and structured, turning youthfully inward on itself as orange and rosy inner florals resonate. The house style is on full display here, elevated by the radiant fruits of the 2019 vintage.Vinous Media | 95 VMThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens to dried cassis and cranberry, and there is a hint of something floral and fragile, like crushed red rose petals or potpourri. However, the wine also shows growing momentum, especially as it opens in the glass and you start to recognize dark spice, clove, bay leaf and thyme. There is a point of sweetness on the mid-palate, even some dried raspberry, rendering an overall more accessible wine. Compared to the brilliant fruit in the Filo di Seta, this village wine has drier notes with hints of daisy greens and dried currant.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPPolished and refined wine with aromas of wild strawberries, dark cherries and violets.Rich and full-bodied with balanced, soft acidity. Firm and fine-grained tannins. Energetic. Better after 2027.James Suckling | 93 JS

A really focused and rounded Brunello with lovely velvety tannins that give this length and grandeur. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a lovely intensity and texture. Lasts for minutes. A beautiful young Brunello. Better than the excellent 2016. Drink after 2026.James Suckling | 96 JSA youthful red/ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggiotondo is ripe and expressive with aromas of cherry pie, baking spices, cedar, and mossy earth. Medium to full-bodied, it builds in structure, with ripe tannins, fresh acidity, and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a charming wine with grippy structure to drink over the next 4-5 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JDNew leather, underbrush and eucalyptus aromas form the nose along with whiffs of lavender. Firm and linear, the palate features dried cherry, orange zest, licorice and mocha alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 90 KO

So floral and fresh with rose stem, sandalwood and orange blossom. Cherries, too. Full-bodied yet reserved and held back with creamy fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Shows brightness and finesse. Silky texture. One of the best I have had from here. A Brunello that emphasizes purity of fruit. Give this three to four years more. Try after 2026.James Suckling | 98 JSThe Cerbaia 2019 Brunello is utterly delicious. It opens with heady aromas of blue flower, wild herb and camphor but really opens up on the smooth, savory palate, delivering juicy black cherry, blackberry, blood orange, truffle and tobacco alongside tightly woven, velvety tannins. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is earthy and savory in the best possible way with an almost rustic, yet not quite, blend of old cedar spice box and dried roses elevated by orange zest and bright cherries. This is wonderfully pure and silky, with a measured inner sweetness and masses of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. Juicy acidity maintains a lovely energy as the 2019 finishes long and staining. Fine-grained tannins saturate, and a resonance of tart cranberry puckers the cheeks. This energetic and sleek Brunello from Cerbaia will require minimal cellaring to show its best.Vinous Media | 92 VM

The 2019 straight Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a beauty, starting with its heady scents of red berry, dog rose, spice and Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the smooth palate delivers juicy red cherry, cracked peppercorn and licorice alongside tightly-woven, refined tannins. Juicy acidity keeps it balanced and fresh. Drink 2027–2039. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 98 KOThere’s no mistaking this wine for anything but Brunello. The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows beautiful continuity, crescendoing on the nose and palate in synchronicity. There are aromas of grilled watermelon, red cherry, garden herb and violet, and there is a charred note that recalls the toasted oak. The bouquet balances out beautifully, but you do get considerably more power on the palate thanks to the oomph of 15% alcohol and young tannins that get under your gums. Give this wine a few more years of bottle age. Production is 66,915 bottles in addition to 4,500 smaller formats.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPSour cherries with stone and bark undertones to the aromas. Medium body, firm tannins and a long, linear finish that ends tight. But this will soften with some age. Subtle bark and dried mushroom character at the end. Drink after 2025, but already pretty.James Suckling | 94 JS

Made with organically farmed grapes, the Collosorbo 2019 Brunello has inviting aromas of plum, new leather, lavender and Mediterranean scrub. On the concentrated, velvety palate, tightly knit, close-grained tannins envelop black cherry extract, liquor soaked prune, licorice and tobacco before a mocha finish. It’s delicious but also rather one-dimensional. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KOThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a bouquet that blends savory herbs and worn leather with crushed wild berries. It’s softly textured and round, with a pretty inner sweetness and juicy red fruits cascading under rosy inner florals. The 2019 tapers off long and gently tannic, as a bump of residual acidity maintains an energetic feel.Vinous Media | 92 VM

It, too, is a wine of gentleness and refinement, with bright plum fruits and warm spice both apparent in the aromas, within the context of an aromatic profile both seamless and harmonious. It’s ample in the palate yet round-contoured, with acidity here as important an element of the wine’s structure as is tannin. The tannins, indeed, are unintimidating and supportive – but resonant and flavoury, too, in best Barolo style. The overall impression of an easy-rolling roundness is underscored by the wealth of fruit which sings through the palate. For all that, this is a serious Barolo which could easily take five to ten years’ further ageing: an ideal introduction to the pleasures of the 2019 vintage in this emblematic Piedmontese region.Decanter | 97 DECWith fruit from Brunate, Liste, Cerequio, Cannubi and Raviole, the 2019 Barolo Lecinquevigne is a little subdued on first nose and would benefit from more time in bottle. This wine offers an appellation-wide taste of Nebbiolo, and the focus, consequently, is on the grape more than any single vineyard. These kinds of blends work very well in a vintage like 2019 that holds its own in terms of balance, intensity and texture. With 70,000 bottles made, this is the most accessible and affordable Barolo in the Damilano portfolio.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPVery perfumed and pretty with ripe berry, terra-cotta, and rose petal aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a lovely creamy texture. Fresh and bright. Delicious now but will age nicely. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 93 JSUnderbrush, camphor and violet aromas lift out of the glass on this fragrant Barolo. Made with Nebbiolo from five vineyards, the polished palate features juicy black cherry, cranberry, star anise and crushed mint accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2026–2934. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KOA taut, linear red, with macerated cherry and plum flavors augmented by hay, spices and iron. This has ample fruit and savory notes waiting to shine through once the tannic structure mellows. Best from 2026 through 2045. 5,800 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

The 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is just superb, with layers of pure fruits and spices interwoven with vibrant cherry liqueur, candied roses, incense, and baking spice. Harmonious and balanced from the start, it offers ripe tannins, a seamless spine of fresh acidity, and fantastic length that leaves me wanting more. As it opens, it reveals more nuanced notes of apricot and saline earth. An outstanding medium to full-bodied red, this is one to cellar for a few years, as it has a ways to go before its full spectrum is revealed. Drink 2026-2050.Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JDWith vines adjacent to forests on white chalky soils, the Elio Grasso 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a luminous and very beautiful wine. Vintner Gianluca Grasso called this "the helicopter vintage" because he actually rented a helicopter to fly over the vines for 45 minutes to dry them from rain right before harvest. As he tells it, this was a costly but good decision because 15 minutes after he finished harvesting on October 26, heavy rain came and lasted an entire week. Thanks to these dramatic measures, the grape skins were excellent, and maceration with submerged cap lasted 55 days. That’s how perfect the skins were. This balanced wine shows extreme precision and elegance.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPThe 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is classically austere and just gorgeous right out of the gate. Soaring aromatics and fine, sculpted fruit race out of the glass. Crushed rose petal, cinnamon, orange peel and mint are all beautifully delineated. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2019 is going to need years to be at its best, yet it has that embryonic inner sweetness that characterizes the very finest wines here. Superb.Vinous Media | 96 VMPerfumes of cinnamon, plums and dried flowers follow through to a medium body, with fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Hints of cedar and sandalwood. Crunchy and lightly chewy. Give this four or five years to soften. Best after 2028.James Suckling | 94 JS

Very different from the Gavarini Chiniera, the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté shows more bite, structure and a bigger tannic impact. Fruit was harvested a bit earlier, but healthy grape skins allowed for 52 days of maceration. This wine shows beautiful intensity and fullness with dark fruit, earth, hazelnut and dark plum. Surrounded by forests, the greenery gives balance to this wine by moderating temperatures. In fact, this site saw up to 10 degrees Celsius drops in diurnal temperatures, leading to thick skins and ideal phenolic ripeness.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97+ RPAnother remarkable wine from this outstanding and tension-packed vintage, the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate takes on a bit more introspective nature, with black cherry, cracked peppercorn, licorice, and wet asphalt. Full-bodied, it offers sweet tannins and notes of balsamic herbs, violets, leather, and black raspberry that move through the palate at a glacial pace without feeling weighted. I would recommend cellaring for a few years, after which it will be perfect for winter weather evenings by the fireside over the coming decades. Drink 2026-2050.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDThe 2019 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is rich, dark and explosive. Dark-fleshed fruit, cloves menthol, licorice, scorched earth, leather and dried flowers are some of the notes that infuse the 2019 with character. Deep and resonant, with tremendous depth, the Ginestra is a wine of unbridled intensity. Swaths of tannin wrap around the huge, substantial finish. This virile, strapping Barolo is quite simply classic Ginestra.Vinous Media | 95 VMPlum and orange peel with some flowers such as violets on the nose. Medium to full body with tannins that build on the palate. Chewy and powerful. Traditional sensibility and nature to this. Try this after 2027.James Suckling | 95 JS

Fragrant, focused and loaded with finesse, this impressive red opens with aromas of iris, red berry, spice and camphor. Elegantly structured and savory, the vibrant palate features juicy raspberry, Morello cherry, star anise and wild mint framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2024–2034.Wine Enthusiast | 96 WELots of plum, ripe strawberry and crushed nutmeg. Hazelnut too. Full-bodied with firm and velvety tannins and a chewy finish. A wine with energy and structure. Try after 2025.James Suckling | 94 JSThe Elvio Cogno 2019 Barbaresco Bordini hits all the right chords, striking at elegance, balance and a transparent approach that highlights the character of the vintage and this vineyard in Neive. This is a medium-bodied wine with polished tannins and a delicate flavor profile focused on wild berry, licorice and crushed stone. Some 10,000 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPThe 2019 Barbaresco Bordini is a very pretty, expressive wine that marries the natural power of this site with a good deal of finesse, a pretty appealing combination in my book. Powerful and yet classic in bearing, the 2019 offers up generous red-fleshed fruit, spice, rose petal, orange peel and dried herbs. The 2019 can be enjoyed today or cellared for a decade plus. Today, it is pretty impressive.Antonio Galloni | 93 AGEnticing aromas of cherry, strawberry, hay, sweet grass and iron mark this smooth, velvety red. Shows ample structure, yet this is harmonious overall, with a beam of pure cherry lingering. Best from 2024 through 2038. 830 cases made, 125 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

Offering dark fruit and an articulate bouquet with elements of ripeness and balsamic herb, the Fanti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino releases its aromas in swells of licorice, dark plum, cured tobacco and sweet potting soil. In terms of palate, this Brunello delivers much of its intensity in an upfront manner with a blast of ripe fruit that fades quietly over the mid-palate. The tannins are softly integrated. This wine, with a production of 49,000 bottles, will be almost ready to drink after its release in January 2024.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA firm and silky Brunello with some berry, cherry and cedar character, as well as meat. It’s medium-bodied and rather tight, but shows some polish. Better after 2026.James Suckling | 93 JSAromas of exotic brown spice, violet, new leather and eucalyptus form the nose Fanti’s 2019 Brunello. Intense and full-bodied, the palate delivers raspberry compote, mature cherry, cake spice and a hint of espresso. Tightly woven, close-grained tannins provide velvety support. Drink 2017–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KOBalsam herbs and dark chocolate aromas give way to dried black cherries and pine shavings as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to the glass. This is a sleek and racy effort, with cool-toned acidity and dark red fruits that flow across a silken textural wave. It finishes spicy and long, also remarkably fresh, with edgy tannins that resonate as salted licorice hints slowly taper off. The balance within is stunning, yet don’t let the giving nature of the 2019 fool you; this is a wine for the cellar.Vinous Media | 92 VMLocated near the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, Fanti counts 45 hectares dedicated to Sangiovese, of which just 10 are authorised for Brunello. The estate bottling comes from 20- to 30-year-old vines ranging in altitude from 150 to 450 metres. Aged in a combination of barriques and 30 hectolitre casks, the 2019 is forward and profuse in aromas. Sun-soaked oily herbs and grilled Mediterranean shrub echo the late Tuscan summer. Mint and rosemary repeat on the full-bodied, hearty palate. Tannins are mostly ripe though a slight astringency gives a pleasant tug. More rustic than elegant but this will surely have its fans.Decanter | 91 DEC

This wine always stands out in my mind, and it’s worth dedicating a few words as to why. Poggio Valente offers us a rare opportunity to taste Sangiovese made according to the highest standards but from a territory—on the Tuscan Coast—that does not share a big legacy with monovarietal Sangiovese reds. The Fattoria le Pupille 2019 Poggio Valente was born in a happy vintage with a cool spring and a growing season that had plenty of underground water reserves to keep the vines hydrated well until the end of August. This is a full and generous wine with dark cherry and wild plum aromas that segue to tar, licorice and crushed slate. My sample (tasted a few weeks after bottling) was a little shy initially, but it quickly blossomed in the glass.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThis is very dense and structured with stone and blackberry character. Full-bodied and intense with chewy tannins that frame the wine. Flavorful finish. Smoky and lightly bitter, in a good way. Pure sangiovese. This needs time to soften. Better after 2024.James Suckling | 95 JSThe 2019 Poggio Valente is gorgeous. Bright and vibrant in the glass with terrific energy, the Poggio Valente is a fine example of the style favored here these days. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice and orange zest complement a core of Sangiovese fruit. I especially like the vibrancy here. The 2019 is absolutely delicious. That’s all there is to it.Antonio Galloni | 93 AGA red with intensity on a weightless frame, leaving plenty of room for cherry, blackberry, chocolate, nutmeg and white pepper flavors to shine. The tannins are present, yet uplifting rather than obtrusive. Sangiovese. Best from 2023 through 2032. 2,900 cases made, 400 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

These village-specific wines are growing in popularity, and among the various expressions on the market today, this wine from Verduno is really quite special thanks to its highly distinctive floral aromas and its delicate sense of inner balance. A new project being inaugurated with this vintage, the Fratelli Alessandria 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno shows a fine, streamlined mouthfeel with polished tones of river stone, crushed rose and licorice root. The aromas are refined and fragile. This is a 20,000-bottle release.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPFragrant and refined, Fratelli Alessandria’s 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno opens with enticing scents recalling dog rose, perfumed forest berry, cedar and eucalyptus. Lithe and elegantly structured, the savory palate reveals juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry and star anise accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins. It’s well balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2024–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThe 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno is a dark, brooding wine. Dark-toned fruit, spice, menthol and licorice lend tons of intensity to this decidedly potent Verduno Barolo. There’s real density and mid-palate richness. This is far from an entry-level bottling, that is for sure. Patience is essential.Vinous Media | 90-92 VMThere is expansive perfume of anise, raspberry liqueur, rose petal, and chalky earth in the glass of the 2019 Barolo Del Comune Di Verduno. It is medium-bodied, with a persistent linear structure and fresh-driven citrus of orange peel, tea leaf, and cranberry. Allow another year and drink 2025-2035.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JD

The 2019 Barolo Gramolere (with 7,000 bottles made) shows a slightly sweeter and riper fruit profile. This wine comes from the village of Monforte d’Alba, which is known for more structured and powerful wines compared to Verduno (where this winery is based), which offers lighter, more floral wines instead. Gramolere shows dark fruit, plum and spice, but it also has a pretty mineral note of rust or iron. However, within this portfolio, this wine may well deliver the longest drinking window.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPThe 2019 Barolo Gramolere, tasted from barrel, is the most elegant wine Vittore Alessandria has made yet from his family’s holdings in Monforte. Medium in body and transparent, the 2019 offers up black cherry, lavender, spice, licorice, dried herbs and menthol are all laced together in a layered, mysterious wine that captures the essence of Nebbiolo in Barolo. The classically austere finish is a thing of beauty.Vinous Media | 93-95 VMMore concertation of fruit can be found in the 2019 Barolo Gramolere. with raspberry liqueur, spice box, and licorice. It is medium bodied but has a more expanded feel. with notes of dried apricot, grenadine, blood orange, and tobacco. Drink 2025-2045.Jeb Dunnuck | 95+ JDCedar, violet, Asian spice and ripe black-skinned fruit aromas lift out of the glass along with balsamic whiffs of camphor. Juicy and full-bodied, the smooth palate doles out ripe black cherry, almond liqueur, licorice alongside velvety, enveloping tannins. Drink 2025–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KO

This vineyard delivers slightly more concentrated fruit and a medium-dark appearance from loamy calcareous soils. The 2019 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno delivers more oomph and power with ripe cherry, blackcurrant, dark spice and earthy aromas. Fratelli Alessandria makes some of the most harmonious wines in Verduno, and that quality comes through beautifully in this wine, despite the slightly more robust fruit weight delivered by San Lorenzo di Verduno. Only 5,000 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RP The 2019 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno, tasted from barrel, is another potent wine from Alessandria. Heady and explosive, the 2019 possesses tremendous energy and drive from start to finish. Dark red fruit, gravel, incense, scorched earth, rose petal, licorice and iron are some of the many notes that race out of the glass. The 2019 is wild and racy, sort of like a misbehaved child, but in the best sense! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.Vinous Media | 93-95 VMThere is a fresh mineral character in the 2019 Barolo San Lorenzo Di Verduno with wet asphalt, red cherry, orange, and clove. It is medium-bodied but takes on more structure and concentration, with ripe, fine tannins, dusty earth,and cranberry cocktail, and long with citrus on the finish. A nervy wine, it will benefit from another couple of years in bottle and drink well 2026-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDCamphor, wild rose, ripe berry and new leather are just some of the aromas that you’ll find on Fratelli Alessandria’s fragrant 2019 San Lorenzo di Verduno. Full-bodied and buffed to a smooth sheen, the juicy, chewy palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed mint and licorice framed in tightly knit, velvety tannins. You’ll also detect the subtle warmth of alcohol on the finish, but the fruit richness easily supports it. Drink 2026–2034. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KO

Cabernet franc makes up 60 per- cent of Magari, bolstering the blend’s structure and freshness (it no longer includes merlot). The wine’s flavors of blackcurrant and plum show a pleasant tangy edge, its earthy tannins firmly guiding the fruit tones without overwhelming them. Hints of licorice and graphite emerge with air, and the dark fruit mingles with iodine notes on the long, seamless finish.Wine & Spirits | 95 W&SThe Ca’ Marcanda 2019 Bolgheri Rosso Magari offers a surprisingly subtle side to the three very powerful grapes that make up the blend. These are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The bouquet is generous and full, with an intricate embroidery of lavender flower, garden herb, black fruit, spice and tobacco. You might even detect a hint of black olive. Magari is structured and solid but never heavy, and it offers a good sense of fresh acidity that makes for a lively and bright finish. That more acidic vein is neatly folded into ample fruity sweetness and flavor.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThis is a firm yet velvety-textured red with blackberry, sage, pine-needle and dried-flower aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a lovely mouth feel and a long finish. Drink after 2023, when everything will have come more together.James Suckling | 93 JSStarts out rich, yet underscored by vibrant acidity and a line of refined tannins, which provide the support for this red’s black currant, black cherry, wild herb and iron flavors. Finishes lean and firm. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2030.Wine Spectator | 91 WS

The 2019 Barolo opens to good balance between tart berry fruit and secondary aromas of toasted spice. Spaced out nicely in between are floral tones, crushed stone and rusty nail. The wine shows rich concentration and lots of dark fruit, yet it also gives room for the more nuanced and fleeting side of Nebbiolo. There is a salty or mineral note that adds a feeling of dryness to the polished finish. Some 15,000 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPAlessandria’s 2019 Barolo is gorgeous. Sweet dark cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, rose petal, mint and orange peel lead into a core of soft, open-knit fruit. Silky tannins and soft contours add to its overall appeal. The aromatics alone are beguiling, but it is the wine’s overall balance that is most impressive of all.Vinous Media | 94 VM

The gorgeous 2019 Brunello from Gianni Brunelli pulls you in, with its quintessential Brunello fragrance composed of underbrush, woodland berry, botanical herb and wild rose. Savory and all about finesse, the delicious palate shows elegant restraint and energy, delivering juicy red cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and crushed mint alongside polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. Hats off to Laura Brunelli, this is an absolutely enthralling wine. Drink 2027–2039. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 99 KOJust below Biondi-Santi in southeast Montalcino, this is one of the most classic estates of the denomination. The 2019 has a deep nose of amazing fruit ranging from cherry to strawberry, soaked with fresh violet, liquorice and vibrant minerality. It’s loaded with racy acidity and firm, velvety, super-ripe tannins; lavish and polished. The wine is aged for 29 months in Slavonian oak, of which a third is renewed every year.Decanter | 98 DECThis wine offers lifted fruit with popping cherry, blackcurrant and sour crab apple. This level of fruit brightness is not easy to maintain in a wine that ages for five years before its commercial release. The folks at Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto do a fine job. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino delivers balanced oak renderings with exotic spice and dried chili flake. The wine has a beautiful nose, but the palate definitely needs more time to flesh out and relax, considering the current tightness of the tannins. With 14,230 bottles made, it promises a long drinking window.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPHauntingly dark yet inviting, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up with a beguiling blend of grilled herbs and ashen stone lifted by white smoke that finally gives way to dried black cherries and cola. Sexy and suave, it floods the palate with velvety textures and supple ripe fruits, expertly balanced by a core of brisk acidity and salty mineral tones. Fine-grained tannins, along with a pleasantly bitter tinge, appear through the finale as the 2019 finishes long and full of tension, leaving the slightest trace of orange. The balance of richness and racy character within makes this a total standout.Vinous Media | 95 VMBerry, spice and hints of cedar in the nose. White pepper, too. Orange peel. Rose petal. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit but reserved and formed. Round and juicy tannins that show plenty of richness, but not over the top. A little tight at the end but shows promise. Drink after 2026.James Suckling | 95 JS

The 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Grattamacco (a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese) is a real beauty and shows very nicely today based on advancing vine age alone. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah vines show great results after seven years, whereas Merlot and Sangiovese vines need a few more years before they start to show that extra degree of complexity, the winemaking team tells me. This is a complete and beautifully balanced wine that shows soft extraction and especially sweet tannins. It fermented in truncated conical oak vats and finished in barrique for 18 months. 60,000 bottles were produced.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPDense and smooth, featuring black cherry, blackberry, plum, iron, licorice and menthol aromas and flavors. Fresh and featuring a spine of tannins, this finishes on the compact side for now. Shows balance, so be patient. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2040. 5,400 cases made, 300 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 97 WSBeautiful aromas of currants and blackberries follow through to a medium to full body with round, creamy tannins and a juicy finish. Lots of intensity and depth. Hints of fresh sage and bay leaf. From organically grown grapes. Wonderful to drink now, but even better in 2024.James Suckling | 95 JS

La Ca’ Nova 2019 Barbaresco will tempt readers with its effusive aromatics and compelling Nebbiolo fruit, but a few years in bottle are advisable to help the tannins soft. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2019 is such a great example of what Barbaresco should be. Bright red fruit, orange peel, white pepper, mint and crushed rocks lend striking energy throughout. Vibrant saline notes support the dry, bracing finish. Vineyard sites are Ovello, Cole and Loreto.Antonio Galloni | 93 AG

The 2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina races out of the glass. Chalk, white pepper, crushed rose petal, cinnamon and salt abound. For readers who want to understand what Montefico is all about, well, this is it. Over the last year, the Montefico has started to flesh out a bit. Perhaps one day it will catch the Montestefano. For now, the Montefico is a Barbaresco to admire for its vibrant, mineral-drenched personality.Antonio Galloni | 96 AG

Delightful and juicy red fruit with lots of floral notes of rose petals, citrus blossoms and a touch of crunchy white peach. Medium-bodied with succulent, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Finishes with an appetizing, zesty aftertaste. Beautifully harmonious. Drinkable now, but give it another three to five years to show its best.James Suckling | 95 JSBalsamic aromas of eucalyptus and camphor mingle with lavender, perfumed berry, cedar and forest floor on this fragrant Brunello. Full-bodied and delicious, the smooth palate offers juicy baked cherry pie, star anise, blood orange and graphite alongside velvety, close-grained tannins. Drink 2028–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThe La Fortuna 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows earthy spice, toasted cumin seed and a leafy quality with some bay leaf or dried tarragon. There is a spot of sweetness on the mid-palate, but the wine is fleshed out, with velvety tannins and an open-knit approach. There is a hint of perfumed rose or lavender essence as well. I like the complexity on offer here, and although the wine tends toward oak flavors, it does balance out. Some 26,000 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Annata is impossible to ignore. An array of rose petals and cloves gives way to cedar spice box and crushed blackberries. This is silky, verging on velvet, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that enliven its crisp red and black fruits. The 2019 leaves a web of fine tannins to linger and the mouth watering for more as hints of plum and licorice resonate. This is likely the most balanced and well-rounded Brunello I’ve ever tasted from La Fortuna. Bravo.Vinous Media | 92 VMWith vineyards in the northeast and southeast of the zone, La Fortuna brings the two together in the estate Brunello. Between the two, harvest lasted from 22 to 28 September in 2019. Following long ageing in Slavonian oak casks, it shows distinctly lifted floral scents of violet along with ripe garden herbs, tobacco and cocoa. The palate exudes ripeness with soft, yet succulent fruit. Tannins come across as gentle and enveloping at first then rebound with a surprising grip. Nevertheless, this will be approachable upon release.Decanter | 92 DEC

The 2019 Brunello from La Gerla shows polish and intensity, offering aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry, underbrush, camphor and licorice. Firm, close-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provide support and energy. It’s still brooding and needs time to fully develop. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThe La Gerla 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has spicy, dried fruit with blackcurrant, pinecone, juniper berry and a hint of medicinal herb or camphor ash. The oak comes through clearly in the form of mulled spice or crushed clove. This Brunello is rather streamlined on the mid-palate, and although there is some mild chalkiness to the tannins, they are almost approachable now. Production is 40,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA lovely mix of floral and herbaceous aromas lift from the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino, which displays a ruby color and offers notes of wild raspberry, herbes de Provence, wet stones, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, it’s enticing on the palate, with crunchy fresh acidity, ripe tannins, and a long finish that closes with a quenching saline lift. This vintage offers such wonderful aromatics, and this wine is no exception, with a pure nature all throughout. Drink 2025-2035.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is wild, opening with a zesty burst of spiced orange and cloves before settling on black cherries and ashen stone. It’s creamy and seductive in feel, with a wave of rich red fruits that easily flow across the palate, guided by juicy acidity. Tension builds through the close as saline minerals mingle with angular tannins, leaving a pleasantly bitter sensation and the mouth watering for more. While some patience will be required, I expect the 2019 to over-deliver after only a few years of cellaring.Vinous Media | 93 VMLa Gerla’s estate Brunello brings together an even proportion of fruit from holdings in the cool northeastern area of Canalicchio with lots from warmer parcels in Montalcino’s southeast. Exhibiting the estate’s signature unami style, the 2019 is appealingly unpretentious yet complex. Restrained aromas of chestnut and grilled, smoky herbs lead to a wild berry compote laced with clove. It flows easily across the palate, carrying tantalising acidity. Fine powdery tannins build up and close off the finish for now. Give this another year in bottle.Decanter | 93 DECCompact and tense young red with lots of dark fruit and violets, as well as subtly spicy and toasty undertones. Creamy and rich on the palate with balanced acidity. Persistent length with dried-herb flavors at the end. Needs more time to soften. Drink after 2029.James Suckling | 93 JS