3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 CCR "San Marcilliano" is he bigger brother of the Anata. It is one size bigger in every sense. Very silky without beeing too modern. Warm on the palate with a great acidity and a looong finish. Bravo ! (93+).

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

On the other hand the 2004 Anfiteatro was a real WOW wine. Not as huge and big as the Petresco. More in a burgundian style. But the wine is so intense and so nuanced . It shows a true and fantastic Tuscan terrroir. The finish becomes longer and longer and longer. Simply fantastic ! (94+).

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Camalaione is the most mondern styled wine of the portfolio. The wine was kind of closed and hard to evaluate when I testaed it. However this will for sure turn into a very very nice Cab/Merlot blend when it matures. (93+)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 CCR "Petresco" was a eye opener. This wine was so good I could not beliefe it. It is not for the shy of heart or for people that prefer the more burgundian style. A huge blockbuster that explodes in your mouth. It is so expressive, has such a huge amount of flavours and aromas, so extracted and dense. It reminds me of the 1997 Percarlo when it was young. And he best thing is: The wine is not New world or too modern in any way. This could never be mistaken for the "Un-Tuscan" wines from Brolio, Fonterutoli, La Massa or other modern Ferrini-consulted wineries.
It is the real deal. Everybody who loves Tuscan Wines owes to himself to secure a few bottles of ths unreal Gem that is selling for unbeliefable 25 Euro retail (at least here in Germany). WOW !!!!!! (96+)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

2004 VnM "Poldo" comes close of some of the best sangiovese wines I have tasted. Fortunately although this is a Ferrini wine a nice Tuscan terroir shines through. Although the wine was kind of closed at the fair I had the impression that this will evolve into something very classy. Unfortunately the wine is not cheap at all ... (92)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

Finally there is not much left to say abouth the 2004 Flaccianello. No doubth this is one of the wines of the 2004 vintage in Tuscany. Sangiovese does not get better then this as far as I have experienced. As the wine is sold out (at least here in Germany) for a long time everybody who secured a few bottles of this juice should be proud of himseld ! (94+)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Vigna del Sorbo simply is a fantastic wine. Very sweet, very round great length. There is nothing more to ask from a great modern CCR. Bravo !!! (92)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2005 Carnasciale is Caberlots smaller brother, just a little less depth and the finish is not that long. Still a very very good wine. As the Caberlot is not my price class I will gladly stick with this one (92).

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Il Caberlot is a fantastic wine. Unique fruit profile (Could not be mistaken for any othe Itlian wine I know). So much depth and such a long finish. Simply Fantastic !!! (95).

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

2005 Camartina. The wine was totally out of balance and came across totally unharmonously. The components of the wine did not fit together. Rough edges and kind of a short finish. Hope this will evolve into a better wine .... (90?)

3/26/2008 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Fontalloro had a very good showing. The wine convinces the taster with its finesse, clear Sangio fruit. His true Tuscan Terroir shines through (92+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2007 Terra di Lavoro was even better. It had more power and structure, the wine is so dense and has even more legth than the 2006. WOW ! (96+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Terra di Lavoro is another great wine from this producer. It is more focussed on elegance then on power. On the palate there are hints of roses, smoke and liquid lava. This is a unique wine that should not be missed (94).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Brunello “Madonna del Grazie” is even better and one step up from his little brother in any way. It has more power, even more layered fruits and the finish is too god to be true. A Masterpiece (94).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Brunello was a revelation. This is traditional winemaking at it’s best. One of the ligtest colours of all 2004 BdM’s I tasted. Wunderfull notes of roses and cherries. Strong tannins and a brigth fruit. Wunderfull (92).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

While I do not agree with Suckling who seems to think that this 2004 Brunello is one of the TOP 5 from all 2004 BdM’s I have to admit that it is indeed quite a good wine for what it is. As the sells for ~ 25 Euro here in Europe one should not expect an intellectual experience from this wine. Hoowever it has very nice fruit, good tannins and a very good balance. If you look for a 2004 BdM with a good QPR and ready to consume during the coming 5 years this is indeed a good choice. If you want to age your 2004 BdM I would look somewhere else (92).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Rosso dM is better then 70% of all Brunelli I tasted at the fair. I would take a bottle of this over a bottle of any simple Brunello from Banfi, Col d’Orcia, Pian del Vigne or Frescobaldi any day (92+)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

This 2004 Brunello is too good to be true. I had never tasted any of these wines what is not that big of a surprise as her annual production is something like 4.000 bottles ob BdM. This was by far the most extreme Brunello I tasted ar the fair. While the style is more traditional then modern in any way this wine tastes as if it was treated with steroids. When you prefer the more burgundian style of Brunello this is not the rigth wine for you. If you are willing to taste something really special try to get hold of a bottle. This is not for the shy of heart. The wine is extremely complex and full bodied. It is very focussed and extremely juicy with rich fruit. This is extraterrestrial ! (96+)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Brunello is more about balance and harmony then about power. Good acidity, floral notes, classical styled. A modell of a BdM - This is Sublime ! (93)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

Well … Suckling got this one rigth. The 2004 Brunello is indeed a fantastic bottle of wine. The wine kind of explodes on the palate and fills the mouth. On the palate this is so rich with black fruits and strong sweet tannins. The finish is amazingly long (95).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Brunello is a verg good wine with typical Brunello aromatics and a good finish (91). The 2004 Brunello “Pianrosso” is one step up from its smaller brother – Aromatics of flowers and red fruits (92+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Brunello was a revelation and one of my major discoveries. The wines are éxtremely fairly priced and fantastic values ! The 2004 Brunello is all about balance and harmony. The wine has good Sangiovese aromatics. The tannins are velvety with a wunderfull precise fruit. Also there is a nice touch of toastek oak. The finish is warm and looong. At ~ 25 Euro this is a screaming deal (93+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

This 2004 Brunello was off the charts. If you like the more modern style of Brunello / Sangiovese this is a wine to buy. If you taste this wine next to a traditional BdM (Il Marroneto comes to mind) one would not belief these wines come from the same appellation. Nevertheless there is chocolate, vanilla and toasted oak. The finish goes on and on ! (95). Tradidionalists beware.

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2007 Redigaffi shows a noble character. A bit restrained rigth now it has good freshness, great structure and fantastic merlot aromatics that will blossom as the wine ages. Very good and fresh finish (95+)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2007 Giusto di Notri is a winnner ! Very good freshness and acidity, notes of black fruits and spices, great balance and a long finish. Superb ! (93+)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2007 Perlato des Bosco has an interesting aroma-profile for a Sangiovese from tuscany. Compared to a good CC the wine has less acidity and has a more brigther fruit. Very good wine but maybe a little too pricey for what it is (90).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Fidenzio is even better. It has something like 10% more of everything and was one of the best young italian wines I ever had the chance to taste (97+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2005 Fidenzio was head ad shoulders above all other 2005’s tasted at the fair als also one of the best wines on the fair allover. It explodes on the palate has a incredible cassis fruit an incredible dry extract and a loooong finish. This is to good to be beliefed (95).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Rocca di Frassinello IGT is even better than its younger brother. It has more power, is more balanced and will age better. Nevertheless it is far from mature, so for drinking it now and in the coming months I would prefer the 2005. For aging one should go for the 2006 (94+)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2005 Rocca di Frassinello IGT is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and equal parts of Cabernet and Merlot. This wine is gorgious with hints of roses, cherry spices and toasted oak. The wine has strong tannins but the fruit is so fantastic that this is a pure joy to drink rigth now. A revelation ! (93)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Sughere di Frassinello equals it’s younger brother but has a little bit more power and a bit more class. One small step up. (91+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2005 Sughere di Frassinello is the estates second label. A Blend of 50% Sangiovese and equal parts of Cabernet and Merlot. This has a classic fruit profile and a silky texture and some hints of toasted oak. Very good indeed (90).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2007 Poggio alla Guardia is an impressive blend of Cabenet, Merlot and Sangiovese. It is accessible fruit forward easy to understand enty level wine that should fit perfectly to pasta and other typical itallian dishes. Very good balance, good mouthfeel and quite good finish. At ~ 10 Euro this is a screaming value (89).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

On the other hand the 2004 Lupicaia is a winner. Hints of Eucalyptus, menthol and dark berries . I would love to stock up on this beauty if only this wine was a little more sanely priced …. (95)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Tassinaia had a fantastic showing. It has a silky texture. Brigth fruit with notes of eucalyptus and tobacco. As it is priced in the area of 25 Euro in Europe this is clearly a very good QPR (92).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

Finally the 2006 La Ricolma had a fantastic showing. Minerals, red berries and hints of toasted oak. Concentrated without being fat. Strong acidiy with typical tuscan terroir shining through. Very very good (93).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Il Carbonnaione is at good as it gets. Same quality as the 2001 and 2004 Carbonnaione – it is like the 2005 just one size bigger. Kudos to the Fiore Family ! (93+).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2005 Il Carbonnaione was one of the few very good 2005 to be tasted at the fair. This wine has great balance and fruit, good length – simply a fantastic showing for the vintage (92).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Grosso Sanese is a very good Grosso Sanese. Sometimes I wonder why Grosso Sanese seems to receive such littleattention although this wine is one of the best pure Sangioves wines from tuscany yeaar in year out. I understand that people who are used to Brancaia or Fonterutoli migth find these wines too acidic and rustic but 10 years after the harvest there is not much fun to be had with these artificial oakbombs while Grosso Sanese and it’s siblings just start to blossom. The 2006 Grosso Sanese is extremely promising – one cant go wrong with this bottle, if you like the more traditional Sangiovese wines (92++).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Carnasciale is not much behind. Just alittle step down from the 2005 Caberlot. As it costs a quarter of its bigger brother this is a must buy for me. (92+).

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

he 2005 Il Caberlot was one of the few wines that reached the same quality as its 2004 sibling. The wine once again proofed to be one of the few truly unique wines from tuscany. There is no other wine with a similar fruit profile. It has so much depth and is so elegant. Fantastic ! (94).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Camartina had a very good showing. While it was quite closed and kind of monolithic. With time in the glass it opened uo a little and showed hints of its fantastic structure and lentg. With this will turn into a fantastic wine (92++)

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

However stylewine I prefered the 2006 Fontalloro to the Rancia as it was more open, accessible, very powerfull and more easy to understand and enjoy. The wine had very good fruit, balance and a long finish (93).

3/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Rancia is another fantastic Rancia. Kind of closed when tasted but the is no question about the sheer quality of this wine. (92++)

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Flaccianello however is another legend in the making. A huge blockbuster that fills the palate with a looong finish. This is hard to beat…. (95)

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The real stunner for me was the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was formerly labeled as IGT Ceraselva, but Giovanni decided to eliminate the Merlot from this blend as he feeels that the Cabernet in purezza is the beetter wine in the end (the Merlot was used for the Trittico instead). The 2006 Cabernet had gorgeous notes of Cassis and berrys, an endless finish and the dry extract must be totally over the top. I cand remember having ever tasted a Cabernet from The Chianti arrea with that extreme dry extract. This wine is a stunner (94+)

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Calamaione is a very modern styled wine compared to the Petresco and the CC. It is hard to belief that they come from the same producer. I admit I prefer the more traditional wines from this producer nevertheless one has to acknowledge the very good quality of this Cabernet / Merlot Blend (92).

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 Petresco is another stuning effort from this producer. It has everything one can wish for from a pure Sangiovese. While the wine is not “in your face” style it is very long and dense and offers a unique amount of flavours and aromas. (92++)

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2004 Geremia on the other hand had a very strong showing with a classic tuscan Cab/Merlot fruit profile. Great balance, so silky and a long finish. Very good QPR here.

7/26/2009 - FJB wrote:

The 2006 CCR "San Marcilliano" is off the charts. While beeing quite closed it was easy to understand that this is the best one can make out of 100% Sangiovese from some of the best and oldest plots in the CC area. If you love wines like Percarlo and Flaccianello this is a wine not to be missed.