Wines and Beyond

Red Wine by Ornellaia from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon; 25% Merlot; 12% Cabernet Franc; 3% Petit Verdot The use of several varietals gives the winemaking team the luxury of being able to tailor the exact proportion of the blend to the specific strengths of a given vintage. 2004 can be considered as one of the major expressions of Ornellaia and represents an excellent example of a classic vintage in Bolgheri. The ideal conditions during the growing season lead to a perfect combination of ripeness, flavor complexity and finesse. The velvety opulence of the Merlot is balanced out by the racy and elegant tannic structure of the Cabernets, which are further amplified by the small addition of Petit Verdot. The gorgeous 2004 Ornellaia is...a lively dark ruby, it is a vibrant effort bursting with expressive aromatics and layered, well-delineated fruit, showing much purity on the palate and closing with a long, finessed finish. Readers hoping to catch this wine's full array of nuances will have to wait at least another few years as the wine remains quite primary today. This exquisite effort is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 95 Points

Red Wine by Antinori from Tuscany, Italy. Extraordinary intense ruby red in color. Intensely fruity, more of cherry than cassis, with hints of toast, coffee and dark chocolate. Finely structured and complex; balanced, with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Displays unmistakable varietal flavor while retaining strong regional character. Guado al Tasso, meaning literally Badger's Ford, takes its name from a common sight at the estate of Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, where it is produced. The vineyard is at an elevation between 44 and 58 metres (145 and 190 feet) above sea-level on stony, slightly calcareous soils. Tenuta Guado al Tasso is located 60 miles southwest of Florence, near the medieval village of Bolgheri, in an area known as the Maremma. The 900 hectares (2,223 acres) estate stretches up from the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the hills, and aside from extensive vineyards, also grows wheat, corn, sunflowers, tomatoes and olive trees. Guado al Tasso was first produced in 1990. All the vintages have been produced in limited quantities. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah and other red grape varieties.

Red Wine by Luce from Tuscany, Italy. Tuscany's 1999 vintage is acclaimed for red wines of long aging potential. The intense sun of the summer months encouraged early maturation of the berries, leading to Sangiovese and Merlot grapes of superior soft tannins and lower levels of acidity. The heavy rains of October did not compromise fruit quality, since the sunshine and constant breeze that shortly followed dried off any excess moisture. The grapes for Luce were brought to the winery in excellent condition with fully developed flavors and an ideal balance of sugar concentration and acidity. Luce, the signature wine of the Frescobaldi family of Tuscany and the Robert Mondavi family of Napa Valley, captures the unique terroir expression of a beautiful hillside vineyard in the famous region of Montalcino. Powerful, yet elegant, the 1999 Luce reflects the expertise of the two renowned winegrowing families with rich, complex layers of ripe fruit. The intense bouquet offers enticing aromas of raspberries and black currants layered with nuances of vanilla and cloves. On the palate, this wine shows its great consistency, perfectly integrated tannins and just the right touch of acidity. The vibrant flavors of blackberry and blueberry weave into a long, warm finish.

Red Wine by Luce from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 50 % Merlot and 50 % Sangiovese Luce 2004 appears deep ruby with lovely purple highlights. Subtle suggestions of toasty oak appear first on the nose, over fragrant notes of blueberry and blackberry that seem to infuse the background; next to emerge is a complex of floral and mint nuances, followed by smooth impressions of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate is smooth and mouthfilling, with velvety tannins and a warm alcohol beautifully complemented by a crisp acidity. The finish is expansive and dynamic.

Red Wine by Ruffino from Tuscany, Italy. Grape varieties: 60% Colorino, 40% Merlot Deep ruby red in color, with violet hues. Intense and complex, Romitorio de Santedame displays a voluptuous nose of black currant, cranberries and raspberries, highlighted by notes of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. This impressive bouquet is echoed on the palate, where strong but velvety tannins complement the intense fruit character. Beautifully structured, the tannins, alcohol, acidity, and fruit find an ideal balance, leading to the lingering, smooth finish of coffee, hazelnuts, and mint chocolate. Romitorio di Santedame deserves a meal worthy of its richness and complexity. Enjoy it with veal or pork pate, Beef Wellington, a crown rack of lamb, moussaka, or roasted goose.

Red Wine by Banfi from Tuscany, Italy. An extremely limited release produced in only favorable vintages, Excelsus is an extraordinary wine made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Each varietal is macerated and fermented for 20-25 days, then aged separately in French oak barrique for one year. They are blended, and further matured in the bottle for an additional one to two years. A densely colored, ruby-hued red with garnet tones, this austere wine offers an opulent bouquet that hints of plum, black currant and bell pepper. Excelsus complements red meats, game, rich-tasting dishes and full-flavored cheeses.

Red Wine by Banfi from Tuscany, Italy. Number 29 on Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2004! This wine shows an incredible concentration of fruit, with loads of berries and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and lots of smoky character. Goes for a long time on the finish. Always a benchmark for the region. Best after 2005. 55,000 cases made. -- Wine Spectator

Red Wine by La Brancaia from Tuscany, Italy. The top product of the Brancaia brand is the Brancaia IL BLU, IGT (Supertuscan), highly acclaimed by the international wine press. Since the vintage 1997, this wine has been rewarded with the TRE BICCHIERI by the Gambero Rosso / Slow Food. The Brancaia IL BLU 2001 (93 points) was quoted by Wine Spectator as a real beauty and Wine Spectator rated the vintage 98 with the high score of 94 points and concluded comments with: Brancaia is a new star. For many wine lovers all over the world, this is already a classic. 50% Sangiovese 45% Merlot 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Red Wine by Col d'Orcia from Tuscany, Italy. Color: Deep ruby red Bouquet: Complex and fresh, with inviting fruit aromas balanced by oak-imparted spices. Taste: Well-structured and full-bodied, with fine tannins that promise great aging capacity. The finish is long and impressive. Serving Suggestions: An ideal companion to red meat entrees, hearty stews and assorted cheeses.

Red Wine by Tenuta San Guido from Tuscany, Italy. By the same producers of the famed Sassicaia, the grapes are grown in a vineyard on lands adjacent to the Sassicaia vineyard. The grape varieties are approximately 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvingnon and 10% Sangiovese. The grapes are vinified in a new cellar created especially by the Tenuta San Guido in the locality known as 'Vecchio Frantoio (Old Olive Press) not far from the town of Bolgheri. The 2005 vintage was fermented in steel vats at controlled temperatures with a maceration period of 15 days for the the Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon and 12 days for the Sangiovese. The wine was then aged in French and American oak barriques for 14 months, one-third of the barriques being new ones. Wonderful aromas of crushed blackberry and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Needs time to develop in the bottle, but hard not to drink now. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Best after 2009. -Wine Spectator

Red Wine by Tenuta Sette Ponti from Tuscany, Italy. Tenuta Sette Ponti's first release was the 1998 vintage Crognolo, named after a wild bush, Cornus, which grows on the estate. The blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from vines of an average age of 25 to 35 years yields a refined, elegantly stylish wine of fruit forward lushness. The wine's dense color suggests a concentration confirmed on the palate along with sweet ripe flavors of wild cherries, black fruit, leather and vanilla also evident in the aromas. The wine is firmly structured yet elegant, with good tannic support and well-integrated oak notes, leaving an overall impression of harmony, balance and length.

Red Wine by Terrabianca from Tuscany, Italy. The 2004 Campaccio (70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals layers of ripe fruit with notable vitality on the palate and enough concentration to stand up to the oak treatment. It offers outstanding length and fine overall balance in a big, bold style that will require a few years to come together in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 91 Points

Red Wine by La Braccesca from Tuscany, Italy. Made from a blend of 80% Prugnolo Gentile, 15% Canaiolo Nero and 5% Merlot, Mammolo and Colorino and grown in varied estate vineyards in Montepulciano. The wine was vinified in stainless steel tanks, racked, and completed malolactic fermentation by the end of November. A portion of the wine was aged in 20-50 Hl barrels while a small percentage was aged in 3-year-old barrique for a total of 24 months. This Vino Nobile is deep violet in color with a very intense bouquet that highlights the wine's acidity and excellent extraction. It is beautiful, clean and very big on the palate. 88 points. Fragrant and floral with a perfumed nose of red currants and violets, medium body, a silky texture, and good persistence on the finish. It will supply another five or six years of good drinking.--Wine Advocate 4/29/05

Red Wine by Capezzana from Tuscany, Italy. Carmignano is a 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend aged in oak for 12 months and an additional 6 months in bottle. Its ruby red color becomes amber with age, and has an aroma that is earthy, fruity, and spicy. On the palate it is soft with dense, sweet tannins, well balanced acidity that's harmonious with both texture and body giving it a long, persistent finish, fruity with small red fruits and spicy tones.

Red Wine by Luce from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 50% Merlot, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon A powerful, dense ruby, flecked with purple, announces Lucente, followed by a seductively elegant and measured suite of aromatics. Notes of smooth vanilla are first to emerge, enlivened by crisp balsamic essences. Then, evolved impressions of raw and tanned leather build complexity, which finally yield to rich notes of dark cherry and fruit preserves. In the mouth, Lucente's sheer volume is noteworthy, building steadily on the palate, and brilliantly supported by a core of tannins that are dense and fine-grained, but at the same time lively and expressive. The finale is velvety, delicious, and appealing.

Red Wine by Le Volte from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon Elegant and enjoyable, the 2005 vintage is characterized by ample fruity, slightly spicy notes. Produced following closely the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's philosophy, Le Volte is the result of the research and selection of the best Mediterranean terroirs in Tuscany. It matures for about 10 months in 2-4 year old barriques which have been previously used for the aging of Masseto and Ornellaia. The Mediterranean expression of Sangiovese gives the wine opulence and warmth while structure and complexity are provided by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is a harmonious, balanced, well-structured wine with an enjoyable finish.

Red Wine by Altesino from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon As a result of no wood contact, this Rosso has a vibrant ruby red color and a fresh bouquet with scents of ripe forest fruits. Inviting and fragrant on the palate, it offers excellent body and sound structure. An excellent value, Rosso di Altesino is the wine of choice for pasta, white meats and semi-soft cheese.

Red Wine by Ruffino from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot Ruby red in color with garnet hues. Well-structured, this wine's characteristics exemplify the perfect union of the three varieties that make up the Modus blend. Hints of tobacco and spice lead to inviting aromas of cherries, blackberries and plums. This full-bodied wine is rich with refined, silky tannins and a long finish of vanilla and red berry essence. Modus is delicious with versatile meat dishes such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, sausage with escarole and fagioli beans, marinated flank steak, and pairs equally well with grilled stuffed Portobello mushrooms and aged hard cheeses.

Red Wine by Avignonesi from Tuscany, Italy. Varietals: Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero, Mammolino Vino Nobile is garnet red in color; its bouquet is delicate and intense, with a slight scent of violet; the taste is dry with a hint of tannin. This wine is ideal with roast and grilled meat, game and mature cheeses. The 2004 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (mostly Prugnolo Gentile with some Canaiolo and Mammolino) presents a richer, riper expression of black cherries, licorice and smoke, in a linear, understated style, with notable purity and outstanding balance. Although delicious today, it is also quite fresh and primary. Readers who enjoy a more developed wine will want to give this Vino Nobile another year or two of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2016. -Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Bootleg from Tuscany, Italy. An appealing marriage of old vine Sangiovese, Merlot and Ancellota. Sangiovese adds broad-faced, generous, marasca cherry while the Merlot is supple and round. The extremely rare, dark, intense Ancellota brings intense earthiness and terroir. Floral and opulent with cashmere tannins, hints of vanilla extract and red fruit reduction on the finish. Blend: 60% Sangiovese, 35% Merlot , 5% Ancellotta Stands alone or is perfect with steak Florentine, caprese, wild boar, duck or spicy fusion cuisines such as Thai/French.

Red Wine by Banfi from Tuscany, Italy. Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino is a wine of noble origins and impressive original thinking. Made from 100% select Sangiovese clones, Rosso di Montalcino is considered Brunello's younger sibling. Rosso di Montalcino is aged less than its elder counterpart - 12 months in wood (half in French oak barrique and half in Slavonian oak casks) followed by at least 6 months in the bottle before release. It is deep ruby-red in color with a dry, round, velvety taste and generous body - characteristics similar to those desired in a great Brunello. Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino is an outstanding companion to veal, red meats and cheeses.

Red Wine by Antinori from Tuscany, Italy. Deep ruby-red in color with hints of berries and wood. Complex and elegant with tannins, yet balanced, soft and rich in extracts. 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Syrah

Red Wine by Col d'Orcia from Tuscany, Italy. Color: Deep ruby red with purple reflections. Bouquet: Fresh, intense aromas of ripe fruit infused with spice from the oak. Taste: Full-bodied and fruit forward, structured by supple tannins. Serving Suggestions: Well-matched with veal, pork and poultry dishes, as well as duck and goose.

Red Wine by Tenuto Arceno from Tuscany, Italy. Inviting aromas of chocolate, ripe cherries and exotic spices lead into subtle floral notes of lavender and dusty rose. On the palate, lush fruit reminiscent of cherry pie fills the mouth, giving way to an endless finish of licorice, black pepper and cedar. Food pairings: Sausage with spicy green beans, pasta Bolognese, game hens with pomegranates Decant one hour before serving.

Red Wine by Col d'Orcia from Tuscany, Italy. Color: Intense ruby with vivid purple reflections Bouquet: Strong aromas of spices and ripe cherries Taste: Harmonious and pleasant, with the soft and fruity aromas of the Ciliegiolo and Merlot supported by the noble structure of the Sangiovese

Red Wine by Avignonesi from Tuscany, Italy. Grape varieties: Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero, Mammolino Vino Nobile is garnet red in color; its bouquet is delicate and intense, with a slight scent of violet; the taste is dry with a hint of tannin. This wine is ideal with roast and grilled meat, game and mature cheeses.

Red Wine by Frescobaldi from Tuscany, Italy. Blend: 85% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot Color: Chianti Castiglioni 2005 greets the eye with a forward, purple-flecked ruby red. Aroma: The nose opens to clean aromas of black cherry over nuances of dried plum and spicy, sage-like herbs. Taste: The palate is remarkable for its balance, showing abundant but well-integrated tannins, a tasty acidity, and a finish in harmony with all its components.