Liguria, 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. — 19 days ago

Dave, Ruud and 19 others liked this

G.D. Vajra

Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2021

A favorite mid-range Barolo, great value for the price. Good tar, dried roses, rounded tannins and acids, damp earth, some graphite, black pepper. From Flatiron Wines. 08/30/2025 — 3 days ago

Austin, Benjamin and 7 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Very good!

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. — 9 days ago

Dave liked this

Azienda Agricola Fontodi

Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale Sangiovese 2013

Decanted an hour and then drank over 1.5 hours. The tannins mellowed and fruit shone. This was very good but not blockbuster — 5 days ago

Ira, Bob and 6 others 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 — 10 days ago

Dave, "Odedi" and 4 others liked this

Montevertine

Le Pergole Torte Sangiovese 2018

KCG
9.5

Fresh acidity, elegant structure, long persistent finish. — 13 days ago

Bob, Dave and 8 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. — 19 days ago

Bob, Ruud and 14 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2020 Classico pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, red flowers, old wood, and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. My first time trying the 2020 vintage of Produttori’s Classico and it’s another really lovely, benchmark example of Barbaresco. Drink now through 2040. — 15 days ago

Ira, Pooneet and 17 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

Nice. 2020 more approachable now than the 2019s from what I remember

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. — 8 days ago

Lyle, Andrew and 7 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 — 9 days ago