Robert Stackowiak

8.9

A nice lighter cherry that is dry but with appropriate fruit. Great with pasta and red sauce. October 2025. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Valdisanti Toscana 2020
Toscana IGT, Tenuta San Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Named in honor of Pier Luigi Tolaini’s mother, Valdisanti is Tolaini’s signature Super Tuscan from Tenuta San Giovanni—right at the southern edge of Chianti Classico. The 2020 vintage is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit and features a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc blend. This pure Bordeaux-style combination underscores both structure and aromatic vibrancy, reflecting both modern winemaking finesse and Tuscan terroir.  

Aromas & Flavors
Dark and compelling on the nose—black cherry, ripe cassis, and tobacco merge with aromatic notes of Mediterranean herbs, graphite, and leather. Layered hints of licorice and espresso build toward a rich, spice-kissed finish.   

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm yet supple tannins and lively acidity. The wine is generous on the palate yet balanced, leading to a long finish that reveals depth and elegant austerity.   

Winemaking Notes
Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and optically sorted, then fermented on skins for 25 days in French oak vats. Aging continues for 16 months in French barriques, including 6 months on lees, drawing out both richness and aging potential.  

Food Pairing
Pairs brilliantly with Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its structure also complements urban grills, roasted game, or hearty stews.

Verdict
Valdisanti 2020 is a refined Super Tuscan that marries Bordeaux balance with Tuscan character. With its 50/50 Cabernet blend and meticulous winemaking, this wine is both graceful and powerful—a true standout for collectors and dinner tables alike. It will cellar beautifully over the next 10–15 years. A la salute!! — 3 months ago

Norman

9.2

Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 4 months ago

Rashed Chowdhury

9.2

I love this wine. — 7 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.2

A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — 7 months ago

Jamie Lauder

9.1

2015 vintage Chianti Gran Selezione.
80 % Sangiovese, 13 % Merlot and 7 % Malvasia Nera.
Deep dark ruby red.
Perfumed nose with black currants, violets, olives and cocoa.
Ripe black plums, leather, black tea with polished silky tannins.
A long, beautiful finish. — 4 years ago

Daniel Van Doren

9.1

Fruity white — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago

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. — 10 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.2

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, blackberry, vanilla and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; no formal notes due to the setting. It has been a few years since I last enjoyed the 2015 and I am happy to report that it is now very much open for business. The fruit is on full display and the oak is much better integrated. The structure is still quite firm but I found everything to be in better balance than it was upon release. This is squarely and its drinking window and should remain that way through the remainder of this decade and likely, well beyond. Drink now through 2030+ — 4 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.3

A wonderful mature and complex nose of cherries , plums , dried leaves and leather. What pleased me the most was the lack of alcohol aromas given the warmth of the vintage . Just as pleasing was the lack of alcohol on the palate. The weight of the wine on the palate I’m sure was the result of the vintage. Cherries, plums and tobacco flavors were in harmony. Tannins lingered. If I had a “nit” it was the lack of great complexity on the palate.. — 4 months ago

Scott Arnold

9.0

Fruit forward, delicious dolcetto — 5 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

It’s got that CA profile. Dusty earth and tooti frooti but also has some good spice. But yea, that CA profile. Elegant, sweet and balanced. Not big but small and pure. Nice. — 6 months ago

Brian S

9.7

Perfection, even in a bad glass. — 9 months ago

Janell

8.9

surprise in the bag we keep at the hotel…not bad, a bit peppery (if that’s a thing) — 3 years ago

Neal Ferry

8.9

Lots of Fruit — 4 years ago

with TwiLea

Lorni Monkface

9.5

Bubbly amber apricot smooth cidery but not super tart — 7 years ago

Jay Root

9.1

Peppery, acid, lighter on the fruit. This would pair really well with chili or a similar dish — 7 years ago

Michael Shonblom

9.3

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Brock thompson jordan john s kevin b — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2019 San Valentino pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and a decent amount of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes of Bing cherry, plum, licorice, Palo Santo, varnish, balsamico, exotic spices, and a mix of dried under brush and earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose . The finish is long and there is no shortage of excitement. A wine that simultaneously makes you think and fills you with joy. Drink now through 2034. — 3 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.1

Decent but could use a little more oomph — 4 months ago

Norman

9.5

Winemaker dinner at Nari. Fabulous and if not tied for WOTN it might win in some cases. — 4 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

2021. Drove to Omaha to attend an Arnot-Roberts wine class and tasting, and got there early to enjoy some delicious oysters with a bottle of fantastic Chardonnay that wasn’t on the tasting list. Unfortunately, Nathan Roberts flights were delayed and the class was cancelled, but we’re going home with a bunch of tasty wines instead! — 6 months ago

Mark Rosse

9.3

3 hour decant. — 8 months ago

Catalina

9.1

Light on the nose and medium body finish / very delicate flavor but rich notes of maybe vanilla, definitely black cherry, leather, hints of earthy tones. Delicious — 9 months ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.1

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 4 years ago

Tom Inners

9.4

Still young for my tastes but checking in on a go-to producer. Killer with King Crab Salad sandwiches 🥪

This bottle was a bit slow out the gate and needed some air to reveal the magic inside. This bottle was a pick up from Corti Bros when passing through Sacramento via Tahoe.
Finesse, and beautifully prolific white wine structure all the way throughout.

Santa Cruz Mts represent! — 5 years ago

Monica Lins

9.0

Full body with a peppery after taste — 10 years ago