Red Wine

91 points The Wine Advocate:Aldo Conterno’s 2004 Barolo is simply beautiful. A medium red, it presents a feminine expression of Nebbiolo in its perfumed, spiced red raspberries and cherries. This is a soft, accessible Barolo ideal for near and mid-term drinking that fully captures the essence of this great vintage. Beginning with the 2004 vintage, this wine includes fruit from 15-year-old vines in Colonnello, a vineyard with sandier soils that lies on the border with Barolo. In the past this fruit was used for the Langhe Favot but now it makes up about 30% of the blend for the Barolo. As a result this bottling now carries the Barolo designation rather than the Barolo Bussia name which was used for previous vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019. Antonio Galloni

94 points The Wine Advocate:The 2008 Tignanello is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. The 2008 isn’t a huge or obvious Tignanello, rather it is a wine that impresses for its sublime elegance and precision. Understated layers of fruit caress the palate like cashmere in this impeccable, soft wine. There is not a hard edge to be found. Black cherries, tobacco, smoke and licorice are some of the notes that come through on the finish. The flavor profile is decidedly on the dark side, but the wine’s structure is medium in body and intensity. In 2008 the Tignanello has more energy, focus and length than the Solaia. It is a fabulous achievement! The 2008 Tignanello is 80% Sangiovese aged in 300-liter French oak barrels (1/3rd new), 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, both aged in 100% new 225-liter French oak barriques. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Antonio Galloni

90 points The Wine Advocate:The 2007 Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio offers up rich, textured dark fruit in a succulent style that is very appealing. French oak gives the Castello di Brolio notable volume and body, in addition to an attractive smokiness that works quite nicely in this vintage. The Castello di Brolio can be enjoyed today for its forward fruit or cellared for another decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Antonio Galloni

92 points The Wine Spectator:A wine of finesse and elegance. Cherry, licorice and spice flavors, with a saline element, combine seamlessly with the medium-bodied frame and firm structure. The savory note continues on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.