Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 San Valentino pours a slightly hazy, ruby color with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, red fruit: sour Montmorency cherry, wood varnish, horse blanket, black licorice, old wood, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. One of the more wild vintages of San Valentino I’ve ever had and this bottle wasn’t quite as good as the one I had a couple years back. Drink now and enjoy what nature gave to Paolo and Giampiero. — a month ago

RobS

9.4

Bottiglia N 0000329 - Favoloso! — 2 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Truly one of Italy’s best red wines every year. Prune, balsamic, wild herbs. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured. The 2019 Antonelli “Spoleto” pours a slightly turbid, deep golden color. Yellow flowers, quince, and dried apricot with medium acid and a medium finish. Crushable. 1/2 the Paolo Bea at 1/2 the price. I’m shelling out for the Bea if I can find it. Otherwise, this is a nice alternative for sure. Drink now and over the next 5 years. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and decanted shortly before dinner; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2019 pours a very rustic looking, deep straw bordering gold color; medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes bruised and dried fruits: dried apricot, bruised yellow apple, candied oranges, yellow flowers, herbaceous (rosemary?), and old wood. And yet there’s a freshness there that is undeniable. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium + acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is very long. Another vintage of Lapideus and another beauty from Giampiero. These wines make me think and each time I get to enjoy one, I’m reminded of why wine can be so special. Drink now through 2029. Bottle No. 0859/2655. — a month ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.5

Robust skin contact for weeks - array of rich mountain herbs, nuts, tannins. Not a wall flower! — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

If the late Paolo Bea ever made a Brunello, it might resemble something like this. The 2008 Colleone BdM pours a deep garnet; slightly browning with some rim variation. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. Some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mostly desiccated fruit profile: cherries, dried red flowers, tomatoes, balsamic, leather, and spices. Definitely some VA; “it must be Italian!” On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed. The finish is long and layered. I want more time with wine; it’s a story teller. This 2008, compared to the 2006 La Torre from the other night, just has a bit more structure to it and having enough experience with both vintages, that tracks. Drink now and through 2028. — a year ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.4

Big tannin, herbs, forest floor, minerals. — 23 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.5

Sangiovese / sagrantino / montepulciano blend from hilltop vineyard, several years of tank and cask ageing but no new wood. Huge wine but somehow manages to be lively and dimensional. Dark, fleshy red and black fruits with lots of savory, herbal and floral elements — 2 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.1

Pours a copper-gold color that will immediately make you wonder if this has been oxidized, but apparently that's the style. Like their reds, they seem to turn everything up to 11 in Montefalco.

After decanting in the glass, aromas of toffee, white flowers, almonds, bitter oranges, and minerals. Very funky and interesting, but not something I'd hand innocent wine drinkers. — 3 months ago