Campania, Italy

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2018

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 14 days ago

Dave, Ruud and 18 others liked this

Arianna Occhipinti

SP68 Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola Frappato 1903

it’s giving dirt! In the best way. Stone fruit. Fresh acidity. Barnyard funk. I love this — 4 days ago

Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese Blend 2023

Nicely concentrated Sicilian red, with muscular tannins backed by deep and dark fruit with somewhat sharp acidity. Reminds me of a young California Central Coast red blend. Nice pairing with red sauce pasta but probably better after four or five years of softening in the bottle. Had the 2023 vintage with Paccheri Lisci (spicy pork sausage sugo, fennel, sage, pecorino) from Jame Enoteca in El Segundo, CA. — 11 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Azienda Agricola Fontodi

Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale Sangiovese 2013

Biting tanning on open. 3 hr decant opened things up but I’d say this needs more time to really come together. Good but not a wow experience — 5 days ago

Pooneet, Tom and 6 others liked this

Montevertine

Le Pergole Torte Sangiovese 2018

KCG
9.5

Fresh acidity, elegant structure, long persistent finish. — 8 days ago

Bob, Dave and 6 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

2021 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 45 mins. Chunky and decently power-laden. Hints of finesse here and there. Much too much too early obvs but time, space and the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) demanded a sacrificial lamb. The oracle at Delphi was on a lunch break apparently so no tea leaves or entrails read but this needs at least 3-4 years to divine the future. 08.15.25. — 14 days ago

Bob, Ruud and 13 others liked this

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2023

Heavy tenants and very smooth drink — 4 days ago

Anne Miller
with Anne
Jason liked this

Gaja

Ca'Marcanda Promis Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2021

Eric K
9.8

Excellent big fruit forward Super Tuscan. Great with pizza and very enjoyable to sip without food. Very tasty experience — 5 days ago

Dave, "Odedi" and 4 others liked this

Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello

Monprivato di Castiglione Falletto Barolo Nebbiolo 2010

Really a lovely Barolo. Last had 2 years ago. Opened 4 hours in advance, no decant. Don’t think it needed it either - this is quite seamless. Lighter color in the glass, but with a clarity that is obvious. Aromatically a lot of lighter red fruit and some earth. Palate has real depth with good acid and medium tannins with a very long finish. Quite delicious and a perfect pairing with some grilled campo grande pork marinated with garlic and rosemary. — 2 days ago

Lyle, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Pio Cesare

Barolo Nebbiolo 2020

John W
9.1

Maroon coloration. On the nose, cherry, florals, leather, minerals, and vanilla. On the palate, cherry, red berry, earth, minerals, stronger acidity and tannins present but not overpowering. A Barolo with more finesse than power. — 3 days ago