Deep red colour. Bouquet of dark black fruit and wood, slightly floral. Flavours of pepper, licorice, plum, blackberry. Full in the mouth with a fairly long finish. Still a bit hot so could sit in the cellar still but drinking well. Drinking this again after being open one day and it has opened nicely.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
My first bottle of this wine (L17177), it is a big, extracted, New World style Super Tuscan. Popped and poured and consumed over three nights, it hardly changed over the three evenings. I don’t like this style much, but this is very good for the style. Thankfully it does not reek of oak like most wines made in this style, and has a good acidic spine. Otherwise, it is a rustic, dark-fruit bomb with power and no subtlety. I cannot understand Antonio’s 95 rating of this wine. Good QPR for the style. I would not buy again, but the same wine in Napa would cost 3x as much. I have five left in the cellar ! Drink to 2035, but I doubt it will improve.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last had this in 2019 and this is better now. So far, my wine of the year for 2022! Popped and poured. Tannins velvety smooth and well integrated. Deep inky purple in color. Black raspberry, mushroom, red meats, leather and earth tones on the nose. Harmonious—this all fits together. Tremendous value under the $30 I paid. Why wait longer? Drink now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured as well. This drank a bit better than decently, no complaints at all. Like many others I got red and dark berry, but I didn't stick around to find any funky notes. A typical super Tuscan with some grip here and there, which at $40, was surpassed by some of my cheaper bottles.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gave this a double-decant, followed by a half-hour in the bottle before pouring the first glass. Consumed over 3 hours. There's a good deal of earthiness and other savory notes in this wine, with the cabernet currently overshadowing the sangiovese more than I like. I would've preferred more of the red fruit to shine through. Perhaps additional time in the cellar would bring those elements into better balance. I don't have other bottles but, if I did, I would wait 2-3 years before opening another to see how this evolves.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I know I'll probably get flamed for giving this wine a higher score than everyone else. But in my defense, Antonio Galloni, a reviewer I respect for Italian wines, and has 1000% more knowledge about wine and Italy i than I will ever know, gave this a 95. Also, it is a little stylistic preference as this wine has a funky, mushroomy, truffly nose with hints of tobacco and charred rosemary that brings me to my knees, but might not be in everyone's wheelhouse. This super-tuscan wine clearly has its personality from sangiovese while the merlot and cabernet just give it some additional weight and structure. I think wild boar bolognese with a little shaved pecorino would be the perfect pairing for this wine.
Nothing like a funeral to gather family together – many here are Super Tuscan fans…this one fit the bill nicely.
Deeply intense ruby-red color in the glass. Aromas of marasca cherries & lavender quietly gather near the rim, along with light balsamic & spice notes. (thyme & cocoa, maybe?)
The palate is louder, but balanced between alcohol & polyalcohol’s, tannin & acid. As expected, it carries rich, cherry flavors, earth & tobacco flavors.
(Wish we were together for happier times – but this wine really helped.)
Popped and poured. Tannins velvety smooth and well integrated. Deep inky purple in color. Black raspberry, mushroom, earth tones on the nose. This was excellent and a good value at the same time. 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
On the nose: Blueberry, dust, vanilla, cherry On the palate: Blueberry, vanilla, cherry, dark fruit with fine tannins and well balanced acidity. Medium+ finish
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Var på förhand lite orolig att 2015 skulle vara en fruktbomb. Och visst är frukten tydlig och påtaglig. Men det är ett elegant och balanserat vin med snygga sidentanniner som påminner om östra Bordeuax och Napa. Ett vansinnigt prisvärt vin som jag tycker utklassar den mesta brunello jag testat på senare tid.
P: Med body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEEDS into, poss through, '20, then drinking for 3, poss 4, yrs more. 14.5% ABV: My VG+/EXC. 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA. [This vendor's $23.95 remains VERY competitive.]
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I freaking love love love this wine. At the price point (I gave around $32), I dare you to find a better value. In fact, I’d put it up against wines in the next wine weight class. Rich, elegant and drinking fantastic right now.
Wow. Super koncentreret og powerfull vin, der kræver dekantering og mad og/eller en del tid i kælderen. Lækker åben næse og dejlig frugtig smag, men også tunge tanniner og varm alkohol. Køb endelig og gem 5-8 år++. Det bliver godt! Absolut vellavet og god value til prisen.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nothing about this wine appeals to me. Have sipped over two consecutive days. Huge fruit which for some strange reason does not excite me, minimal acidity with adequate tannins.
In the "big wine" world this deserves it's 95 score, I find it to be all hat, no cattle. Beautiful bottle with great label graphics!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tuscan Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 70% Sangiovese, 20% C.S. & C.F., and 10% Merlot grown in medium-textured soil with clay & galestro @ 250 m. above sea level; Natural yeast fermentation with the wine resting on its skins for a least 18-20 days; Malolactic & at least 15 mos of aging in "small FR wood containers," ff'd by at least 6 mos aging in bottle.
N: RIPE berrise with notes of flowers
P: LM body; NICE frt met by astringent pucker which morphs into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, quite poss through, '20, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG+/EXC-, the higher certainly IF one hones in on the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which is VERY competitive! 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 3 *shared* IT reds] from 08/17/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 70% Sangiovese, 20% C.S. & C.F., and 10% Merlot grown in medium-textured soil with clay & galestro @ 250 m. above sea level; Natural yeast fermentation with the wine resting on its skins for a least 18-20 days; Malolactic & at least 15 mos of aging in "small FR wood containers," ff'd by at least 6 mos aging in bottle.
N: RIPE; Smoke, poss earth; Intensity lurking
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, almost swtish frt firmed by some astringency which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS another 12-16 mos, then drinking for the ff 3, poss 4, yrs. NICELY done! My VG+/EXC-, the higher certainly IF one hones in on the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which is VERY competitive! 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
dark black cherry red, medium clarity, ruby hue Nose: plum, black cherry, vanilla, cola, clove, black pepper, earth, thyme, tar, cigar, bay leaf, clay, oak Pal: plum, black cherry, stem, black pepper, bay leaf, clove, juniper berry, tar, earth, touch swine, clay, tannins, oak Feel: medium, savory, acidic Finish: medium, long T8 (could be a 7)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/1/2024 - PaulusLoZebra Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not my style, but a crowd pleaser. See my detailed previous notes.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2024 - rbfoote Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep red colour. Bouquet of dark black fruit and wood, slightly floral. Flavours of pepper, licorice, plum, blackberry. Full in the mouth with a fairly long finish. Still a bit hot so could sit in the cellar still but drinking well. Drinking this again after being open one day and it has opened nicely.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2024 - PaulusLoZebra wrote: 91 Points
My first bottle of this wine (L17177), it is a big, extracted, New World style Super Tuscan. Popped and poured and consumed over three nights, it hardly changed over the three evenings. I don’t like this style much, but this is very good for the style. Thankfully it does not reek of oak like most wines made in this style, and has a good acidic spine. Otherwise, it is a rustic, dark-fruit bomb with power and no subtlety. I cannot understand Antonio’s 95 rating of this wine. Good QPR for the style. I would not buy again, but the same wine in Napa would cost 3x as much. I have five left in the cellar ! Drink to 2035, but I doubt it will improve.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Last bottle of a 7 pack! Consistent with previous notes and utterly delicious. Worst part--last bottle.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2023 - prism wrote: 95 Points
Popped and poured, pretty much. This is a delightful wine: super easy to drink, great with food, and a terrific QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2023 - Mr T wrote:
Another solid performance. This will go years but great fruit and mostly mellowed tannins
Very nice
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2023 - Mr T wrote:
Big ripe robust red that paired well with red sauce Neopolitan fare
Really pleasant drink
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2022 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Last had this in 2019 and this is better now. So far, my wine of the year for 2022! Popped and poured. Tannins velvety smooth and well integrated. Deep inky purple in color. Black raspberry, mushroom, red meats, leather and earth tones on the nose. Harmonious—this all fits together. Tremendous value under the $30 I paid. Why wait longer? Drink now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2021 - winoman1 wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured as well. This drank a bit better than decently, no complaints at all. Like many others I got red and dark berry, but I didn't stick around to find any funky notes. A typical super Tuscan with some grip here and there, which at $40, was surpassed by some of my cheaper bottles.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2021 - EMTAME wrote: 90 Points
Gave this a double-decant, followed by a half-hour in the bottle before pouring the first glass. Consumed over 3 hours. There's a good deal of earthiness and other savory notes in this wine, with the cabernet currently overshadowing the sangiovese more than I like. I would've preferred more of the red fruit to shine through. Perhaps additional time in the cellar would bring those elements into better balance. I don't have other bottles but, if I did, I would wait 2-3 years before opening another to see how this evolves.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2021 - Afinta wrote:
Delicious
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2021 - Jonathan T Likes this wine: 94 Points
I know I'll probably get flamed for giving this wine a higher score than everyone else. But in my defense, Antonio Galloni, a reviewer I respect for Italian wines, and has 1000% more knowledge about wine and Italy i than I will ever know, gave this a 95. Also, it is a little stylistic preference as this wine has a funky, mushroomy, truffly nose with hints of tobacco and charred rosemary that brings me to my knees, but might not be in everyone's wheelhouse. This super-tuscan wine clearly has its personality from sangiovese while the merlot and cabernet just give it some additional weight and structure. I think wild boar bolognese with a little shaved pecorino would be the perfect pairing for this wine.
7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5)
5/31/2020 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Black fruit, leather, tobacco and woody notes. Medium-bodied. Heightened acidity. Plummy black frut with chalky tannins.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2020 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Dark color with notes of plummy dark fruit and sandalwood. Medium-bodied. Fine tannins with layers of red and black fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2020 - KillerJones Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nothing like a funeral to gather family together – many here are Super Tuscan fans…this one fit the bill nicely.
Deeply intense ruby-red color in the glass. Aromas of marasca cherries & lavender quietly gather near the rim, along with light balsamic & spice notes. (thyme & cocoa, maybe?)
The palate is louder, but balanced between alcohol & polyalcohol’s, tannin & acid. As expected, it carries rich, cherry flavors, earth & tobacco flavors.
(Wish we were together for happier times – but this wine really helped.)
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/14/2019 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Walk around format, brief note. Dusty red berry fruit and cherry; sandalwood. Nice length on the finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2019 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Tannins velvety smooth and well integrated. Deep inky purple in color. Black raspberry, mushroom, earth tones on the nose. This was excellent and a good value at the same time. 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2019 - Patrik H Likes this wine: 90 Points
On the nose: Blueberry, dust, vanilla, cherry
On the palate: Blueberry, vanilla, cherry, dark fruit with fine tannins and well balanced acidity.
Medium+ finish
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2019 - jrglm wrote:
I still love this wine. Love it.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
3/24/2019 - Rixon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Var på förhand lite orolig att 2015 skulle vara en fruktbomb. Och visst är frukten tydlig och påtaglig. Men det är ett elegant och balanserat vin med snygga sidentanniner som påminner om östra Bordeuax och Napa. Ett vansinnigt prisvärt vin som jag tycker utklassar den mesta brunello jag testat på senare tid.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/20/2019 - jrglm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ditto my last TN.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 7 *shared* Reds] from 01/04/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you for allowing me to retaste this, Kim! :)
N: RIPE cherries atop earth; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEEDS into, poss through, '20, then drinking for 3, poss 4, yrs more. 14.5% ABV: My VG+/EXC. 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA. [This vendor's $23.95 remains VERY competitive.]
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2018 - Mr T wrote:
Big rich elegant wine
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2018 - jrglm Likes this wine: 92 Points
I freaking love love love this wine. At the price point (I gave around $32), I dare you to find a better value. In fact, I’d put it up against wines in the next wine weight class. Rich, elegant and drinking fantastic right now.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
11/5/2018 - Dinamarca wrote: 92 Points
Wow. Super koncentreret og powerfull vin, der kræver dekantering og mad og/eller en del tid i kælderen. Lækker åben næse og dejlig frugtig smag, men også tunge tanniner og varm alkohol. Køb endelig og gem 5-8 år++. Det bliver godt! Absolut vellavet og god value til prisen.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2018 - JimTaft wrote:
Nothing about this wine appeals to me. Have sipped over two consecutive days. Huge fruit which for some strange reason does not excite me, minimal acidity with adequate tannins.
In the "big wine" world this deserves it's 95 score, I find it to be all hat, no cattle. Beautiful bottle with great label graphics!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Tuscan Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 70% Sangiovese, 20% C.S. & C.F., and 10% Merlot grown in medium-textured soil with clay & galestro @ 250 m. above sea level; Natural yeast fermentation with the wine resting on its skins for a least 18-20 days; Malolactic & at least 15 mos of aging in "small FR wood containers," ff'd by at least 6 mos aging in bottle.
N: RIPE berrise with notes of flowers
P: LM body; NICE frt met by astringent pucker which morphs into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, quite poss through, '20, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG+/EXC-, the higher certainly IF one hones in on the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which is VERY competitive! 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2018 - maxmanx wrote:
Decanted and drank over several hours. At the end, this was surprisingly fruity. Probably worth buying a few and hiding them away to see what happens.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2018 - Iceman611 wrote: 85 Points
Dry and unexceptional, in my opinion.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 3 *shared* IT reds] from 08/17/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 70% Sangiovese, 20% C.S. & C.F., and 10% Merlot grown in medium-textured soil with clay & galestro @ 250 m. above sea level; Natural yeast fermentation with the wine resting on its skins for a least 18-20 days; Malolactic & at least 15 mos of aging in "small FR wood containers," ff'd by at least 6 mos aging in bottle.
N: RIPE; Smoke, poss earth; Intensity lurking
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, almost swtish frt firmed by some astringency which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS another 12-16 mos, then drinking for the ff 3, poss 4, yrs. NICELY done! My VG+/EXC-, the higher certainly IF one hones in on the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which is VERY competitive! 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2018 - jrglm wrote: 92 Points
Really nice wine. For the price, a great wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2018 - Frijole wrote:
dark black cherry red, medium clarity, ruby hue
Nose: plum, black cherry, vanilla, cola, clove, black pepper, earth, thyme, tar, cigar, bay leaf, clay, oak
Pal: plum, black cherry, stem, black pepper, bay leaf, clove, juniper berry, tar, earth, touch swine, clay, tannins, oak
Feel: medium, savory, acidic
Finish: medium, long
T8 (could be a 7)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment