Jay Kline

9.2

This used to be Montevertine’s “second” wine (after Pergole Torte, obviously) but the vineyard was torn out and replanted in 1998. After that, their eponymous bottling was elevated to take its place while “Pian del Ciampolo” eventually became the “third” wine. Truthfully, they are all three different expressions of Radda so don't take my numerical rankings as a hierarchy of quality (though one could certainly make arguments in terms of importance). I digress, “Il Sodaccio” is producing fruit once again however, the singular expression is now history. This bottle represents “Il Sodaccio’s” swan song.

From magnum. Opened about four hours prior to service. The 1997 “Il Sodaccio” pours a garnet color moving to a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous but surprisingly spry given it’s a quarter century old. The fruit is more or less a mix of ripe and dried cherries, red plums, curaçao, cacao, porcini, dusty earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins that have well integrated but still there. Acid is medium as well. Confirming the notes from the nose. The fruit is round while the finish is long and a touch savory. A lovely expression of Montevertine that extolls the virtues of the 1997 vintage with its abundant fruit and soft, friendly character. I mentioned to our guests that this bottle gave me the feeling of a warm hug from an old friend. Drinking well now and while I don’t expect further positive development, this magnum certainly has the legs for another 10 years. — 6 months ago

Jamie Lauder

9.1

2017 vintage.
Established in 1998 by Antinori Family in Puglia.
70 % Aglianico, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 % Syrah.
Deep dark and rich flavours.
Full bodied with dark raspberries, dark fruit, bay leaf, rosemary and dried herbs.
Give me Osso Bucco…all is right in the world.
And it’s not expensive. — 9 months ago

Steve Gerths

9.4

1886 vines from the great Monte Rosso vineyard. This was a very nice cherry fruit red zinfandel. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

This is a very nice 13 year old Garnacha from Spain.

Showing black fruits with wood, chocolates, coffee, vanilla, licorice, earth, green vegetables, beef jerky, spices and peppercorn.

Dry on the palate with with medium acidity.

Nice length on the finish with soft tannins and cherries.

Not very complex on the nose, but very nice on the palate.

100% Garnacha grapes.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points. — 4 years ago

Rick Zywotko

9.5

Fantastic bottle of classic Brunello, brought back in 2013, from our visit there. One of the best I've had. Red fruits, hint of vanilla, full bodied and medium to long finish. Outstanding...... at Bacio with my bride, and some Copper River Salmon. A great finish to my B-day that began with a round at Spring Hill. — 7 years ago

Loc Dao

10

Tremendous wine - no need to decant - paired this with a veal osso bucco and it was perfect - floral, earthy musk but deep well balanced with dark fruit and a spicy finish - highly recommended for the price — 8 years ago

Miguel Castro

9.0

Wonderful balance. Merlot and Tempranillo counterweight the heavy Tanat. Still, a meaty wine for read meats. Velvety and round tho. Some blackberries and forest fruits - little tanine. — 8 years ago

Elisabetta Tosi

Wine Blogger Vinopigro

9.0

A great Classic Soave, among the best if its category. Balanced, long, fruity, tasty. And drinkable. — 9 years ago

Lindyn Krieg

9.5

Enjoyed a glass at Seasons 52 in Tampa, FL. — 9 years ago

Ed Chin

8.9

Something awkward about this. Good fruit and structure though. — 6 months ago

Kristine Salm

9.1

Crystal clear amber color strong tannins — 7 months ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(little fine/cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark magenta color. On the nose: jumping from the glass are stewed cherries/plum, herbaceous, licorice, roasted meat, earth, touch of menthol. Taste: elegant, juicy, velvety wine with dark cherry, pepper, chocolate, cedar, and a anise/tobacco medium plus finish. From the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas mtns. Purchased on a recent visit...beautiful indoor/outdoor tasting room featuring their small production wines. If you want to throw down some serious change they offer a terrific multi course food and wine pairing in the underground cellar. — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Casagrande

9.2

So great. Loads of ground, smoky sandstone, ripe blackberry, maple syrup. Rich, structured, so good, so balanced. My favorite Zin plot of land. — 4 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.5

The Monte Rosso was outstanding in every way- expressive nose of dark red fruits and layers that touched all parts of the palate. The flavors complimented a wonderful dinner. 8 years and still getting better. 100 year old vines that show how good Zinfandel can be when grown and tended to reveal their sense of place. Outstanding 🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.2

Amazingly delicious and impeccably fresh and balanced Ready now. — 7 years ago

with Liz

Shawn R

8.9

True Biale wine...pronounced Moon Mountain fruit without question. Strong and dense as you would expect from Biale/Moon Mt. Black raspberry, hints of molasses and pepper on the mid palette. Finishing with a zingy cherry, mocha and baking spice. Recommend another year in the bottle. — 8 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Any wine that can shine from a plastic cup deserves extra kudos. Mistook for a Northern nebbiolo with its structure, detail, & balance, but the fruit is pure southern, pomegranate & black currants. Eye opener (esp for 30$ list). Want to re taste in proper stemware. I think 80% nero di trioa 20% montulpiciano — 8 years ago

with Owen

Mackenzie H

9.3

Classic herbal Amarone. Beautiful. — 9 years ago

Nick Fortunato

10

Lovely. Balanced. Cheap and cheerful. Surprise find. — 9 years ago

Tom Balamaci

9.6

Perfectly aged from a strong year made the nose magical. Tannins integrated and fab. — 7 months ago

Todd Anderson

9.0

Lower than usual 14.5.%. Well made - wish I would have drunk earlier for fresher fruit. — 7 months ago

Teresa S

9.0

Purple flowers, dark fruits, balanced, yummy. — 8 months ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $11

Bursting with tropical flavors, lots of pineapple and guava, almost reminds me of POG juice. Balanced with a crisp acidity and very easy to drink. Amazing for the price, I immediately went back and grabbed 2 more bottles — a year ago

Richard Benitez

9.0

Light, refreshing. Dilute grape juice. — 4 years ago

Hayden B. Oothout

9.3

Spectacular moon mountain cab. I love Cabernet Sauvignon from this AVA. Good minerals and fantastic fruit on the palette. This is fantastic now and would age well in the bottle for a few more years. If you see this, grab it! — 5 years ago

Panos Constantinides

9.0

At first we thought it was corked. After about an hour it started kicking off and probably with more time would even excel. Black and red cherry notes with earthy - leathery spices. Light, soft and balanced tannins. High rate for its age. — 7 years ago

Rivka Friedman

9.1

Red/ black fruit, licorice, leather. Fantastic. — 8 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.5

1973: Beautiful bottle. Wines like this make everyone stop and take notice. The color was clear and light. Arresting nose full of plums and roasted beets. The depth of flavor and long finish was in contrast with the appearance. Really a fine experience, only second to the few times I had the 1952 Mont Real. — 8 years ago

with Barry

Michael Washabaugh

9.1

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 9 years ago

Morgan Diamant

9.4

Had at thanksgiving 2014 with Fam. Everyone but Lisette really liked it. $21 at Urban Grape (5R).
Dried cherry on the nose. Licorice, funkiness/ mushrooms, earthiness, with a finish of black cherries. Smooth and lovely old-world drinking — 9 years ago