This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Sono Montenidoli
Fiore Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2021
The 2021 Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiore is a blend of three clones taken from just free run juice. That approach yields a soft, creamy Vernaccia with gorgeous textural richness and fine balance. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint, white pepper and a kiss of spice all build effortlessly. Beautifully persistent and classy, the Fiore is a winner from Montenidoli. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Castello Vicchiomaggio
Ripa delle More Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2020
The 2020 Ripa delle More is the estate's blend of (50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot). Powerful and sleek at the same time, the 2020 packs plenty of intensity into its mid-weight frame. Dark red/purplish fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are some of the many notes that build in the glass. Give this a year or two to soften. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Marchesi Antinori
Tenuta Tignanello Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori, all from the Tignanello estate, is packed with black cherry, spice, new leather, licorice and dried flowers. A dollop of Merlot adds plush contours, but this is a pretty pushed style, that works well here. Ideally, though, it would be nice to see more Sangiovese and Tignanello character. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti)
Le Trame Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2020
The 2020 Le Trame is fabulous. It's the sort of wine that can be deceptive at first given its mid-weight structure and understated personality. But the intensity of the flavors and the wine's persistence reveal themselves pretty quickly. Cedar, pipe tobacco, dried leaves, mint and blood orange play off a core of red-toned fruit. There's plenty of depth and structure, but all the elements are so well put together that it is easy to look past the wine's more serious side. Readers who can find the 2020 will not want to hesitate. It is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Isole e Olena
Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2020
The 2020 Chianti Classico is such a classy wine. Deep and layered, yet wonderfully translucent, the 2020 is one of the best editions of this wine I can remember tasting. Macerated dark cherry, kirsch, cedar and pipe tobacco open first, but what I am most drawn to is the wine's textural resonance and sheer power. The 2020 possesses remarkable depth yet retains the transparency that is such a signature here. This is a fabulous showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Brancaia
Ilatraia Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020
The 2020 Ilatraia is a potent red that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to soften. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of black fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, incense and lavender. A wine of substance and power, Ilatraia is not as forthcoming as most wines from the Tuscan coast. I suspect the high percentage of Petit Verdot in the blend has a lot to do with that. This is a superb showing, especially for a vintage that yielded generally lighter wines on the coast. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Monteraponi
Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2021
Just bottled, the 2021 Chianti Classico is a powerful, wild wine. Readers will have to give the 2021 quite a bit of time, as it is dense. Floral and savory overtones, with a kick of white pepper and orange peel, open with a bit of coaxing, but the 2021 is an infant. Bright saline notes are a reminder we are in Radda. The 2021 is a blend of mostly younger vines from various parcels across the property. It spent 15 months in cask. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Isole e Olena
Collezione Privata Toscana IGT Chardonnay 2021
The 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a wine of uncommon pedigree and depth. Lemon peel, dried pear, chamomile, white pepper and crushed rocks infuse the 2021 with layers of complexity. I especially admire the sense of vertical drive here. Readers will find a serious Chardonnay for the dinner table. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Castello Vicchiomaggio
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Le Bolle 2019
The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Le Bolle offers plenty of immediacy and overall appeal. A burst of sweet dark red cherry, plum, rose petal, lavender, sweet spice and cedar makes a strong opening statement. The 2019 is not super-complex, but it makes up for that with its overall charm. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2020 Uno, the estate's top bottling is another super-distinctive wine in this range from Tenuta di Carleone. Readers will want to cellar the 2020 for at least a year, as it is rather tightly wound at this stage. Vibrant acids cut through a core of Sangiovese fruit in this nervy, taut wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 8 months ago