Tuscan Reviews
Tuscany, Italy
Tenuta Di Valgiano
Tenuta Di Valgiano 2016
"The 2016 Tenuta di Valgiano packs a serious punch. A heady, flamboyant wine, the 2016 possesses tremendous breadth as well as a real sense of authority. Dark berry fruit, herbs, sage, tobacco, liquorice and scorched earth are some of the elements that run through the 2016. Although the 2016 offers tons of intrigue in its exotic, powerful personality, its qualities will be even more expressive in another few years' time." 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com.
"Great vintage and great version of Tenuta di Valgiano '16. This wine "sparkles" with life, in the purest fruit that fades into sensations of underwood and refined spices; the mouth is magnetic, three-dimensional, silky and very tasty in the tannic texture that lengthens the finish. Truly one of the best ever for this gem. 3 Bicchieri for the 14th year in a row; this wine has also been named 3B verde for farming biodynamically. Gambero Rosso 2021.
"The 2016s from Tenuta Di Valgiano show how much potential lies in the northern Tuscany. Both the flagship Tenuta and the second wine Palistorti are mostly Sangiovese, with a bit of Merlot and Syrah (and Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo, Colorino, Barbera, Tazzelenghe). In recent years, the Sangiovese has come up in the blends, which I think has been quite beneficial. These artisan wines from carefully tended vineyards are well worth checking out." Antonio Galloni.
Tenuta Di Valgiano 2015
“The 2015 Tenuta di Valgiano is a total knock-out. Dark, sumptuous and arrestingly beautiful, the 2015 races across the palate with breathtaking intensity in all its dimensions. Crème de cassis, plum, lavender, liquorice, spice and menthol are some of the many notes that infuse this exotic, voluptuous edition of the flagship Tenuta di Valgiano. Medium in body and super-refined, the 2015 has it all. What a gorgeous wine it is." 95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com.
"This wine sparkles with life."
Fonterenza
"The Fonterenza winery and vineyards are located southwest of Montalcino proper, in the hills of Sant’Angelo in Colle. It was here, in 1997, that twin sisters returned to their family’s farmhouse and decided to begin planting Sangiovese. Their vineyards, growing in a mix of clay, limestone, sandstone and schist, have only ever been farmed organically, with a move toward biodynamics over the last few years. This non-interventionist approach continues in the cellar, using natural yeasts, long macerations, and ageing in a mix of neutral botti with some tonneaux. Margherita and Francesca Padovani are happy to keep things small, which probably has a lot to do with how personal and soulful I found the wines to be". Eric Guido, Vinous.com
Brunello di Montalcino 2014
"Dusty cherry, cedar, pretty florals, crushed stone and hints of undergrowth are all present in the understated yet soulful 2014 Brunello di Montalcino. The 2014 is seemingly weightless, as pretty notes of floral-laced strawberry give way to saline-minerality. The finish is long, with hints of fine tannin radiating beneath an air of red berry fruits and inner florals. (...) This is a beautiful bottle of wine that I’m eager to pour another glass from. Made from one hectare of the family’s original vines. 90 points, Eric Guido, Vinous.com.
Rosso di Montalcino Alberello 2016
"The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino Alberello comes from vines planted in 2005, growing along wires in an Alberello training style, which produces much lower yields. It shows a gorgeous bouquet of crushed cherry with sweet florals and hints of subtle spice, as earthy minerals, leather tones and a hint of undergrowth evolve in the glass. On the palate, I’m finding a refined expression, brimming over with vibrant acids, as pretty cherry-berry tones laced with minerals and spice settle in. It finishes grippy, with a tug of residual acids and lingering tart red berry fruits. This is a gorgeous wine that could easily be mistaken for a Brunello, and a terrific sneak peek at the 2016 vintage." 92 points, Eric Guido
"Tasted blind. Dark ruby with orange tinges. Ripe, yet energetic cherry with malty notes and a touch of leather on the nose. A little wild, with lovely, energetic, red ripe fruit and bags of crunchy tannins." 17 points Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com
"Concentrated ruby with orange tinges. Vivid, savoury nose with hints of leather and stones. Lovely, ripe tangy cherry fruit. Really animating and with a touch of leather on the finish that might become more pronounced in the future, but right now it adds rather than distracts. Lots of grainy tannins balanced by supple fruit." 17 + points Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com
"This is a beautiful bottle of wine that I’m eager to pour another glass from."
Montesecondo
Montesecondo IGT 2020
"The 2020 Sangiovese is a fresh, fruity wine to drink over the next handful of years. Sweet, dried cherry, mint and dried flowers all grace this engaging, open-knit Sangiovese. Ageing in cement keeps the flavours vibrant." Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
Chianti Classico 2019
"The 2019 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous wine that captures the essence of the house style. Crushed flowers, sage, mint and sweet red cherry all grace this perfumed, wonderfully expressive Chianti Classico. The style is a bit idiosyncratic, and yet it works so well. The 2019 was aged in a combination of cask and cement for a year." 90 points, Antonio Galloni Vinous.com
"Just mid crimson. A nose bursting with mineral notes. Stones, iron and iodine notes over perfumed cherry fruit. Gorgeous light-of-touch and racy cherry and raspberry fruit and crunchy tannins. Plenty of freshness and energy." 17 ++ points, Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com
Tïn Amphora 2018
“The 2018 Tïn is 100% Sangiovese done in amphora. It is without question one of the most intriguing wines in Chianti Classico today. The aromatics alone are beguiling. Sweet pipe tobacco, dried herbs, liquorice and dried cherry are nicely lifted. Tïn is rich and resonant in feel yet retains a gorgeous sense of Sangiovese transparency that is so beguiling." 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
Chianti Classico 2018
"The 2018 Chianti Classico is absolutely gorgeous. Black cherry, tobacco, spice and leather bring out the darker side of Sangiovese. Bold and dramatic in the glass, with striking depth as well as translucency, the 2018 is a winner. I loved it." 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
"Just mid crimson. Beautiful minerally raspberry and sour-cherry nose with iodine hints. Racy raspberry and cranberry palate with fine, powdery tannins. Very long, lithe and transparent wine with a cool-climate edge." 17.5 points, Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com
Montesecondo IGT 2018
"The 2018 Sangiovese is fermented with ambient yeasts and aged in cement. A wine of pure and total joy, the 2018 offers an exuberant, racy expression of Sangiovese that emphasises purity of fruit, floral top notes and bright, salivating acids. I would prefer to drink the 2018 young in order to enjoy the striking purity the wine shows today. What a wine!" 91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
"A wine of pure and total joy."
Ampeleia
Ampeleia 2016
“Dark cherry, lavender, mint, cedar, leather and dried herbs infuse the 2016 Cabernet Franc. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2016 packs quite a bit of depth and concentration into its dark fruit, while remaining faithful to the house style. There is so much personality and character here.” 91 points, AG Vinous.com
Rosato di Ampeleia 2020
“The 2020 Rosato di Ampeleia is delicate and floral, gaining sweetness with time in the glass. Citrus-tinged peach, melon and fresh roses form its pretty bouquet. Here I’m finding soft textures and a savoury expression, as tart apples and young nectarine give way to saline-mineral tones. A hint of tropical citrus and spice lingers as the Ampeleia tapers off with a bit of an exotic flair. This is a blend of 80% Carignano and 20% Alicante Nero (a.k.a. Grenache).” Eric Guido Vinous.com
"There is so much personality and character here."
Photo © Tom D Morgan Tenuta Di Valgiano
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