Reds Under $50

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The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine’s velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality).Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPA dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation.Vinous Media | 94 VMA medium-bodied red with pretty plum and berry aromas and flavors. Fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very fine and focused. Not the most structured but this is all about finesse and polish. Drinkable but better in two or three years.James Suckling | 93 JSPlum, fragrant blue flower, exotic brown spice and crushed mint are just some of the aromas you’ll find on the polished and perfumed 2019 Brunello from Altesino. Full-bodied and enveloping, the palate features ripe black cherry, blood orange and licorice before closing on a hint of almond liqueur. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide seamless support. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KO

The 2019 Chianti Classico has changed dramatically since I last tasted it, either because of more time in bottle, or because this is a later bottling. In any event, the 2019 is dense, ample and resonant in feel. Readers will find a serious, texturally intense Chianti Classico that delivers the goods, big time.Vinous Media | 94 VMCastell’in Villa’s 50 hectares of vineyards are scattered around the southern reaches of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Despite the zone’s warmth and generous sunlight, proprietress Coralia Pignatelli crafts firm, vertical wines rather than fruit-driven examples. The 2019 exhibits greater density than the cooler 2018 vintage but offers the same signature purity and precision. Fragrances of citrus, truffles and cherry expand to the palate. Layered and textured, with chalky tannins and pierced through by nervous acidity.Decanter | 93 DEC

Aromas of sour red cherries, fennel and lifted floral notes of lavenders and potpourri. Medium-bodied and round textured with astringent tannins. Excellent length. Healthy and balanced. Try in 2027.James Suckling | 94 JSThe deep ruby-colored 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is more reserved on opening, with aromas of black cherry, leather, turned soil, and menthol starting to come through. Well-balanced and medium to full-bodied, its tannins are a touch firm, but it’s mouthwatering, with a more citrus-toned profile coming through to lift it along to its a salty finish. Drink 2024-2034.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JD

Only in its second vintage, the certified organic Gagliole 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva addresses the need for a category that sits between the entry-level reds and the high-end Gran Selezione wines. Fruit is sourced exclusively from Panzano for an intense ruby color shaded by elegant darkness. Aromas recall blackberry, graphite, flint and white pepper. This wine prizes freshness, a streamlined mouthfeel and those pretty mineral notes that drive a very long and polished finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva takes things up a notch for a more complete and robust wine, with a rich perfume of pure black cherry, anise, and dried lavender. The palate is equally more concentrated, with medium to full body, fine tannins, and a silky mouthfeel that is long with juicy fruit. This is a pure, clean, sunny wine that is hard to resist now. Drink 2023-2034.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDBeautiful aromas of roses and other flowers, together with fresh cherries and lemon rind, following through to a medium body with freshness and vivid intensity to the finish. Spicy at the end. From organically grown grapes.James Suckling | 93 JSThis red leads with black cherry, blackberry, mineral and oak spice flavors. Shows a solid spine of tannins and lively acidity for support, revealing a crisp, lightly astringent feel on the finish. Best from 2026 through 2045. 2,500 cases made, 850 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 91 WSNotes of licorice and black olive accent flavors of red cherry and tangy orange peel. High-toned and floral, with lingering spice notes on the finish.Wine & Spirits Magazine | 91 W&SThe 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva emerges from estate vineyards in Panzano. Sweet floral and spice notes add lovely inner perfume to this elegant, silky Riserva. This is an especially gracious, understated Riserva for Panzano. All the elements are nicely balanced in a Riserva that will drink well with minimal cellaring. The aromatics are especially expressive today. The 2019 spent 12 months in neutral oak followed by six months in cement. (Drink between 2023 - 2034)Vinous Media | 90 VM

The well-made La Poderina 2019 Brunello di Montalcino offers a wide-reaching bouquet with a little bit of everything you might expect of this celebrated Sangiovese-based appellation. There are elements of ripe fruit, blackberry, potting soil, graham cracker and sweet spice. All these various pieces get wrapped up in a nicely intense bouquet. This wine offers solid texture over a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. This is a 68,000-bottle production.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPBlack-cherry, sour-cherry and rose-stem aromas follow through to a medium body with firm tannins and a crisp finish. It’s transparent and clear with a real sense of its vineyards. Better after 2026, when the tannins and acid will have melted together.James Suckling | 94 JSSappy and resinous aromas lift from the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino, which dislays a bright red/orange color and offers notes of spiced cranberry, eucalyptus, tobacco, and oregano. Medium-bodied, it’s snappy with zest acidity and fine, dusty tannins. It’s more understated than the nose would suggest, but it’s appealing and quite refined. Drink 2024-2034.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDAromas recalling sun warmed hay, forest floor, new leather and exotic brown spice form the nose along with whiffs of wild berry. The linear palate offers black cherry compote, espresso and vanilla alongside tightly knit, close-grained tannins that jump in and leave a firm, rather drying finish. Drink 2028–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 92 KOThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a dark blend of medicinal blackberries, cloves and violet candies. This is juicy in character, with a liquid floral sensation and spicy red berry fruits that slowly saturate. It finishes with medium length and gently tannic while leaving a bitter licorice tinge lingering.Vinous Media | 91 VM

An exquisite wine, Le Cinciole’s 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri is immediately seductive. More than anything else, I admire the purity and delineation here. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, rose petal and dried herbs are finely cut in this chiseled, vibrant Gran Selezione. Le Cinciole sets the standard. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2019 spent two years in 25hL cask and a year in cement.Vinous Media | 96 VMSelected from the estate’s Campo ai Peri vineyard, this bottling is dedicated to owner Valeria Viganò’s father, Luigi. It has been produced since 2012 as a Riserva and was elevated to Gran Selezione with the 2016 vintage. Becoming scents of tarragon, jasmine and camomile divulge slowly against a backdrop of pulverised stone. The palate is youthful, demonstrating sinewy substance. It falls steadily into place and lands with a mineral drive. Distinct accents of bitter orange play off the firm, chiselled tannins, and there’s no lack of brisk acidity here.Decanter Magazine | 96 DECA rich youthful scarlet hue, the 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi - Campo Ai Peri is also a bit shy on opening before cascading aromas lift from the glass and start to coax open notes of cedar, anise, white pepper, wild roses, fresh herbs, and ripe red cherry. Medium-bodied with a savory profile, it has outstanding purity, a fresh spine of acidity, and ripe tannins that are woven into the structure, with a long finish. This very impressive Gran Selezione displays the nobility and purity that’s possible in this category. Drink 2025-2045.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDPure and expressive, this red exudes ripe cherry and raspberry flavors framed with earth, wild herb and mineral accents. Seamless and succulent, with a refined edge of tannins lining the finish. Best from 2026 through 2043. 20 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSAromas of cherry chocolate, red plums, mild spices and hazelnuts. Medium- to full-bodied, textured and velvety with crunchy and delicate fruit and polished tannins. Floral and mineral at the end. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 93 JSOn the nose, intensely savory aromas of old leather, balsamic and damp earth are enlivened by a drizzle of cherry syrup. That fruit element explodes on the palate with a cornucopia of berries, but the earthiness lingers as an undertone before a synthesizing mocha finish. The acid floods a valley of fine grained tannins. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Aromas of cherries, cacao and dried flowers follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh and savory finish. Better in a year or two.James Suckling | 93 JS

The Pinino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows medium-dark concentration and classic Sangiovese aromas of blackcurrant, cigar ash and grilled herb. There is a floral element with pressed violet or wild rose that comes though nicely in this vintage. The oak tannins feel dry, and the wine shows mid-weight concentration to close. Exactly 8,610 bottles were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens in the glass with a delicate blend of dried flowers, orange zest and raspberries. It’s cool-toned and pliant with silken waves of ripe red fruits and savory herbal tones that resonate, all guided by brisk activity. This finishes classically dry with silty tannins and a bitter twang of salted licorice.Vinous Media | 91 VMAromas of mulberries, violets, walnuts, and cloves with underlying roasted savory herb characters. Full-bodied. Chewy and sturdy tannins, yet this is a tensioned young red. Needs a little more in the center palate but still outstanding. Better after 2028.James Suckling | 91 JS

The Poggio Landi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino (a certified organic wine) has a note of teak wood or Indian furniture shop that gives this wine a slightly exotic personality. To that, I would add dark fruit, dried currant and sweet blueberry. It ends with medium fruit weight and open-knit tannins that give the wine accessibility. This is a very ambitious release of 130,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA lean style, this red delivers a core of cherry and strawberry fruit shaded with earth, tobacco and mineral accents. Stiff tannins take over on the chewy finish. Best from 2027 through 2040. 10,500 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 92 WSAromas of blackberries, dried dark mushrooms and forest floor follow through to a medium body with firm, polished tannins and a juicy finish. Lightly chewy at the end. From organically grown grapes. Needs a couple of years to soften. Best after 2026.James Suckling | 91 JSA blend of dusty flowers, cloves and crushed stones complement dried blueberries as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino slowly awakens in the glass. It washes across the palate with mineral-laden red fruits and savory spices as brisk acidity maintains an energetic feel. This leaves a web of fine-grained tannins that clamp down hard, yet freshness is maintained as the 2019 finishes staining, long and full of youthful vibrancy.Vinous Media | 90 VMMade with organically farmed grapes, the Poggio Landi 2019 Brunello has aromas of lavender, red berry, leather and camphor. Lithe and straightforward, the palate suggests tart cherry, bitter orange, mocha and peppercorn accompanied by dusty, rather drying tannins. Drink 2025–2030. Drink 2026–2034. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 90 KO

Warm, savory aromas of car tire, tar and coffee headline the nose, while undertones of fennel, orange peel and black cherry add freshness, texture and just enough sweetness. The palate stays warm, but sweetens with notes of cherry, strawberry and more citrus that create a sunny, light feel that contrasts with highly textured tannins.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WELots of dark-fruit notes of brambles and blueberries, followed by dried fennel, vanilla bean and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and savory herb aftertaste. Back in form with this vintage. Try after 2026.James Suckling | 94 JSThe red/garnet 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is generous on opening with ripe notes of crushed blackberries, fresh leather, forest floor, and balsamic herbs. Full-bodied without being heavy, it’s juicy and open-knit on the palate, with ripe tannins and a very nice touch of tea leaf on the finish. It’s a very pleasing wine to enjoy over the next 8-10 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is intense, with a rich and savory bouquet that blends plum sauce and dried black cherries with brown spice and dried flowers. It’s silky smooth and more energetic than expected, with a seductive core of ripe red and blue fruits accentuated by sweet spice and violet pastille. This finishes edgy, nervy and long, leaving a lingering tension, silty tannins and a fading licorice note.Vinous Media | 91 VM