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BUYINGGUIDE
straightforward palate is on the lean side, offering
raw red currant, coffee and star anise alongside firm
acidity. Close-grained tannins leave a drying finish.
Terlato Wines International. —K.O.
abv: 13% Price: $60
89
Le Macchiole 2014 Rosso (Bolgheri). Aromas
of black currant, French oak, coconut and
espresso lead the nose on this polished easygoing
Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend. The soft
accessible palate doles out black cherry, mocha and
black pepper alongside supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Vintus LLC. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $32
88
Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari 2015 Campo
al Mare (Bolgheri). Made with 60% Merlot,
20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and
5% Petit Verdot, this offers aromas of underbrush
and prune. The dense palate delivers dried black
cherry, espresso and a hint of licorice alongside
chewy tannins. Drink through 2018. Kobrand. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $32
88
Donna Olimpia 1898 2014 Bolgheri. Made
with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot,
10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this
has aromas of dark-skinned berry, cedar and a whiff
of exotic spice. The dense palate delivers black
cherry and white pepper alongside round tannins.
Enjoy soon. Majestic Imports. —K.O.
abv: 13.5%
Price: $NA
87
Guicciardini Strozzi 2014 Campo al Capriolo
(Bolgheri). A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, this opens with
delicate aromas suggesting black-skinned fruit and a
whiff of cooking spice. The easygoing palate delivers
black currant and leather alongside round tannins.
Montcalm Wine Importers. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $26
86
Fornacelle 2015 Zizzolo (Bolgheri). Made
with 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon,
this has a shy nose that eventually gives up
whiffs of plum and scorched earth. The simple and
zesty palate delivers black-skinned fruit and a hint
of cedar. Enjoy soon. Tradizione Imports. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $15
95
TOSCANA
Castello dei Rampolla 2012 Vigna d’Alceo
(Toscana). Earthy aromas of tilled soil,
underbrush, leather, purple flower, cedar and ripe
black-skinned berry lead the way on this delicious
blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit
Verdot. The smooth full-bodied palate doles out juicy
blackberry, red currant, licorice, exotic spice, mocha
and a hint of game while tightly knit but velvety
tannins lend both structure and finesse. It’s already
compelling but give it time to fully develop. Drink
2018–2027. Vias Imports. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $242
95
Isole e Olena 2012 Cepparello (Toscana).
Delicious and loaded with finesse, this offers
enticing scents of rose, violet, chopped herb, darkskinned
berry and a whiff of exotic spice. The smooth
structured palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed
raspberry, star anise, and white pepper alongside
polished tannins. Hints of pomegranate and pipe
tobacco close the lingering finish. Drink through
2027. Chambers & Chambers. Cellar Selection.
—K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $80
95
Le Macchiole 2012 Paleo Rosso (Toscana).
Enticing aromas of black currant, violet,
chopped herb, grilled bell pepper and a balsamic note
almost jump out of the glass. The smooth full-bodied
palate delivers cassis, juicy black cherry, ground pepper
and black licorice wrapped up in velvety tannins.
Vintus LLC. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $110
94
Castello Banfi 2013 Excelsus (Toscana). A
blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet
Sauvignon, this has enticing aromas of black-skinned
fruit, fresh violet, espresso and a whiff of cake spice.
Smooth and structured, the elegant palate delivers
crushed raspberry, cassis, licorice and clove that follow
through to the long finish. A backbone of polished
fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity give it
an age-worthy structure. Drink 2019–2033. Banfi
Vintners. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $86
94
Marchesi Antinori 2013 Solaia (Toscana).
For full review see page 5. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14% Price: $325
94
Marchesi Antinori 2013 Tignanello (Toscana).
For full review see page 5. Cellar
Selection.
abv: 13.5% Price: $105
93
Castello Banfi 2013 Summus (Toscana). A
blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Syrah, this vibrant red has alluring aromas of
plum, blackberry, purple flower, espresso and a whiff
of exotic spice. The elegant, structured palate delivers
black cherry, black currant, pipe tobacco, vanilla
and licorice alongside fresh acidity while firm,
fine grained tannins lend a polished texture. Drink
2018–2028. Banfi Vintners. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $75
93
Castello dei Rampolla 2012 Sammarco (Toscana).
Fragrant purple flower, ripe blackskinned
fruit and dark spice aromas slowly emerge
on this savory blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese. Full bodied and
succulent, the smooth structured palate delivers
crushed raspberry, black currant, star anise and
chopped mint alongside a backbone of firm polished
tannins. Drink 2018–2024. Vias Imports. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $117
93
Luce della Vite 2013 Red (Toscana). Made
with Sangiovese and Merlot, this vibrant
red offers aromas of mature black-skinned berry,
exotic spice, purple flower, coconut and a balsamic
note. The full-bodied palate has weight and finesse,
delivering dried black cherry, raspberry, espresso
and star anise alongside a backbone of bright acidity
and firm, velvety tannins. Hold a few more years
to let this fully come together. Drink 2019–2028.
Folio Fine Wine Partners. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $125
93
Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi 2013 Montesodi
(Toscana). Made with Sangiovese, this
vibrant red opens with aromas of fresh violet,
woodland berry, underbrush, new leather and a
balsamic note. The linear, elegant palate delivers
crushed raspberry, wild cherry, star anise and a hint
of white pepper. It boasts youthful tension, with
taut polished tannins and bright acidity that give it
an ageworthy structure. Give it a few more years to
come together. Drink 2019–2028. Folio Fine Wine
Partners. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $44
93
Masseto 2013 Red (Toscana). This polished,
vibrant red opens with aromas of
dark-skinned fruit, mocha, French oak, exotic spice
and a whiff of coconut. The elegantly structured
palate offers black raspberry, pomegranate, oakdriven
spice and espresso alongside bright acidity
and tightly knit, close-grained tannins that leave a
firm finish. Give it time to unwind and fully develop.
Drink 2019–2033. Folio Fine Wine Partners. Cellar
Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $700
93
Mazzei 2012 Mix 36 (Toscana). For full
review see page 7.
abv: 14% Price: $70
93
Mazzei 2012 Philip (Toscana). For full review
see page 8.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
93
Tenuta di Biserno 2012 Lodovico (Toscana).
You’ll find aromas of cassis, French oak,
cedar and blue flower on this full-bodied red. Made
with Cabernet Franc and a tiny amount of Petit Verdot,
the polished structured palate delivers black
currant, star anise, espresso and aromatic herb set
against fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish.
Kobrand. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $300
93
Tenuta Monteti 2011 Monteti (Toscana). A
blend of 55% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet
Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens
with raspberry, black plum, orange zest and cocoa
aromas that follow through to the full-bodied palate.
Polished tannins lend a smooth, creamy texture.
Enjoy through 2021. Communal Brands. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $38
84 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017