Vintage

95 points The Wine Advocate:This splendid Valandraud ranks with the finest wines proprietor Jean-Luc Thunevin has produced since his debut 1991 vintage. The wine exhibits an opaque purple color, and a sensational nose of roasted herbs, black fruits (cherries, currants, and blackberries), and high class toasty oak (the latter component is more of a nuance than a dominant characteristic). Very concentrated, with layers of fruit, glycerin, and extract, yet seamlessly constructed, this wine contains the stuff of greatness, and appears to be the finest Valandraud yet produced. The finish lasts for over 30 seconds. The wine's high tannin is barely noticeable because of the ripeness and richness of fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2020. Robert Parker

95 points The Wine Advocate:The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Altero is a gorgeous, sleek wine laced with dark red cherries, kirsch, menthol, pine and spices. Sweet floral notes wrap around the silky finish. The 2007 stands out for its finessed texture and impeccable overall balance. I can’t remember a more polished, elegant vintage of Altero. Poggio Antico hit it out of the park. The 2007 spent 24 months in 500-liter French oak tonneaux. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Antonio Galloni

91 points The Wine Advocvate:The 2007 Salice Salentino Riserva 50th Vendemmia is big, powerful and super intense. Ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, ash and game come through in this assertive Salice Salentino. Silky tannins round out the finish. As the name states, the 50th Vendemmia celebrates the estate's 50th harvest. The Riserva is 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera, aged in neutral French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Antonio Galloni

94 points The Wine Spectator:This suave, supple red is very charming, yet offers an underlying power and intensity. Refined and persistent, showing rose, cherry, strawberry and spice aromas and flavors. The oak is discreet, and this is well-balanced, with a long, harmonious finish. Best from 2014 through 2030. 20 cases imported.

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

93 points The Wine Advocate:The 2007 Barolo Castiglione deftly balances the open, radiant personality of the vintage with considerable underlying structure. Warm, dense and full-bodied, the 2007 Barolo Castiglione flows effortlessly across the palate with generous fruit and fabulous overall balance. The wine was even better when I tasted it from bottle a few months later. It is another overachieving wine from Vietti and a bottle that is exceedingly fairly priced. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Antonio Galloni