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Mazzei 2013 Belguardo Serrata (Toscana).
Made from 80% Sangiovese and 20%
Alicante, this opens with aromas of plum, black
cherry and baking spice that follow through to the
medium-bodied palate along with a hint of clove.
It’s easy drinking with firm but fine-grained tannins.
Palm Bay International. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $20
89
Montauto 2015 Pinot Nero (Toscana). This
opens with aromas of red berry, light spice
and a whiff of rosemary. The straightforward fruity
palate shows ripe strawberry, raspberry and a hint
of cedar alongside smooth tannins. Kindred Wines.
—K.O.
abv: 13% Price: $24
89
Monteverro 2013 Red (Toscana). Made with
40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon,
20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, this has
aromas of black-skinned fruit, espresso and coconut.
The concentrated palate offers dried black
cherry, roasted coffee bean and vanilla alongside
clenching tannins. You’ll also detect the warmth of
alcohol on the finish. JH Collection. —K.O.
abv: 15% Price: $175
89
Monteverro 2013 Tinata (Toscana). Made
with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, this
opens with aromas of ripe black currant, cedar and
white pepper. The robust palate doles out blackberry,
licorice and a note of exotic spice alongside
smooth tannins. Opici Wines. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $110
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Nittardi 2013 Ad Astra (Toscana). Made with
40% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon,
20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot, this
offers aromas of red currant, cedar and cooking
spice. The firm palate delivers anise, white pepper
and dried aromatic herb alongside assertive tannins.
Drink 2017–2021. Weygandt-Metzler. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $25
89
Ornellaia 2014 Le Serre Nuove (Toscana).
Made with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this has aromas of
black-skinned berry, violet, toasted oak and a whiff
of dark baking spice. The soft palate offers black currant,
espresso, French oak and a hint of dried sage
alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Folio Fine Wine Partners. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $45
89
Pietro Beconcini 2014 IXE Tempranillo (Toscana).
Made entirely with Tempranillo, this
opens with aromas of red plum, leather and violet.
The smooth, easygoing palate delivers black cherry,
ground pepper and a hint of exotic spice. Finegrained
tannins and fresh acidity provide support.
Drink through 2020. Savorian Inc. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $19
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Pietro Beconcini 2013 IXE Tempranillo (Toscana).
Made with Tempranillo, this opens
with aromas of black-skinned berries, cured meats
and herbaceous notes. The fresh medium-bodied
palate offers blackberries, currants and a hint of
sage alongside close-grained tannins that leave a
firm finish. Savorian Inc. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $19
89
Pietro Beconcini 2012 Reciso (Toscana).
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens
with aromas suggesting violets, red berries and baking
spice. The structured palate doles out star anise,
black cherries and Mediterranean herbs alongside
refined tannins. Savorian Inc. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $29
89
Pietro Beconcini 2011 Vigna Le Nicchie Tempranillo
(Toscana). Densely concentrated,
this has subtle aromas of leather, dried plum, nutmeg
and a whiff of exotic spice. The robust palate
delivers raisin, cassis and pipe tobacco alongside
hearty tannins. Made with grapes that were left to
dry before fermentation, you’ll also notice the heat
of alcohol on the close. Savorian Inc. —K.O.
abv: 15.5% Price: $48
89
Podere San Cristoforo 2015 Toscana. Made
entirely with Petit Verdot, this has aromas
of cedar, graphite and Mediterranean scrub. The
polished palate doles out black currant, black pepper
and a tobacco note alongside smooth tannins.
Planet Wine. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $27
89
Rascioni e Cecconello 2012 Poggio Ciliegio
Ciliegiolo (Toscana). Made entirely with
Ciliegiolo grapes, this opens with fruity aromas of
red raspberry and red cherry that carry over to the
easy-drinking palate along with hints of vanilla and
cinnamon. It’s already accessible and enjoyable,
with smooth tannins. Martin Scott Wines. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $32
89
Ruffino 2011 Alauda (Toscana). Made with
45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
and 10% Colorino, this opens with subtle aromas
of black currant, ginger and a hint of star anise.
On the mature palate, notes of vanilla and licorice
accent ripe plum while polished tannins provide the
framework. Constellation Brands, Inc. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $99
89
Tenuta Cappellina 2012 Caspiolo (Toscana).
Made entirely with Canaiolo, this offers
aromas suggesting red berry and cake spice. The
aromas carry over to the juicy palate together with
wild strawberry and clove. It’s fresh and enjoyable,
with smooth tannins. Drink soon. Vision Wine
Brands. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $45
89
Tenuta di Biserno 2014 Il Pino di Biserno
(Toscana). An easy-drinking blend of 40%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot
and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers aromas of
black currant, clove and roasted coffee bean. The
polished, accessible palate shows cassis, toasted oak,
licorice and mocha alongside fine-grained tannins.
Enjoy over the next few years. Kobrand. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $65
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Tenuta San Guido 2014 Guidalberto (Toscana).
Made with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon
and 40% Merlot, this delicately fragrant wine
offers alluring scents of dark-skinned berry, purple
flower and a whiff of cedar. The bright light-bodied
palate offers red currant and star anise framed in
racy acidity and lithe tannins. Kobrand. —K.O.
abv: 12.5% Price: $56
89
Tolaini 2011 Picconero (Toscana). Herbaceous
aromas and a whiff of blackberry take
center stage on this 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet
Franc blend. The dense palate doles out raspberry
jam, French oak and white pepper alongside closegrained
tannins that grip the finish. Banville Wine
Merchants. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $135
89
Tua Rita 2014 Rosso dei Notri (Toscana).
Made with 50% Sangiovese and the rest
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this easygoing
wine opens with aromas of tilled soil, darkskinned
berry and a whiff of game. The soft palate
doles out black cherry, ground pepper and a hint of
licorice framed in round tannins. Enjoy soon. Leonardo
LoCascio Selections–The Winebow Group.
—K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $20
88
Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari 2013 Cabreo
Il Borgo (Toscana). Made with 70% Sangiovese
and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers
aromas of baked plum, espresso, and baking spice.
The robust palate opens with black fruit, chocolate
and licorice alongside gripping tannins. You’ll also
notice the warmth of evident alcohol on the close.
Kobrand. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $57
88
Argiano 2014 Solengo (Toscana). A blend of
Cabernet, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah,
this has aromas of French oak, vanilla and espresso.
The palate is rather austere, delivering black currant
and clove alongside bracing, close-grained tannins.
Vias Imports. —K.O.
abv: 13.5%
Price: $NA
88
Banfi 2013 Bel Nero (Toscana). Made predominantly
with Sangiovese and small
amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this
offers pretty aromas of blue flower, red berry, menthol
and dark spice. The bright straightforward
palate offers dried red cherry, clove and a hint of
espresso alongside lithe tannins. Banfi Vintners.
—K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $28
88
Baracchi 2013 Pinot Nero (Toscana). Made
entirely with Pinot Nero, this offers strawberry
and tomato aromas. The round and ready
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