Wine Advocate (94+)

This is one of the big surprises of this tasting and ultimately represents one of the best buys in the entire extended Marchesi Antinori portfolio. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori shares the DNA of Tignanello. It is Sangiovese kissed with small parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Of course, the wine is more accessible and open compared to Tignanello, and spiritually, this wine is a Chianti Classico. By that I mean that the elegant minerality of these soils and the sunny flavors of its environs are the determining characteristics. You get wildflower, iris, tart fruit and plum. The wine's enhanced mineral character, with dusty white rock, is what adds lasting complexity and depth.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

The 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is a very beautiful wine, but also quite a departure from the style that made it famous years ago. Readers will find an especially polished Guado al Tasso, a wine that emphasizes finesse more than power. Silky tannins wrap around a core of black cherry fruit, licorice, spice, mocha and new leather. Bright, saline undertones extend the exquisite finish. There's more Cabernet Franc in the blend these days, and that very much comes through in the wine's crazy aromatic presence and feel. The 2021 spent 16 months in wood, three months in used French oak barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 14 months in barrel (80% new) for the rest of its aging. Gorgeous.

Wine Spectator (92)

Fresh and varietally expressive, this red bursts with cherry, black currant, olive, tobacco and sweet spice flavors. Balanced and open, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and spices. Drink now through 2028. 684 cases imported.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

Just love this wine, the lyricism and the generosity of it, and its always vivid depiction of fruits and stones. So juicy, so drawn out, works with the vintage, leans into its low yields, with greengages, raspberry, plum, gentle spices, lemongrass, minerality studded with mandarin peel and sage. Translucent and yet full of flavour, once again it begs you to draw up a chair, gather friends, and enjoy. What a brilliant wine and a brilliant winemaker in Bibi Graetz. From a 58ha estate, Colore comes from the oldest vineyards of Sangiovese that range up to 135 years old.

James Suckling (98)

Fabulous aromas of strawberries, orange zest and orange blossom. So pure on the nose. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with intense linear tannins that are ultra-fine in texture. It's fresh and salty with a brightness and focus. Minerally and crisp. pH is 3.4 highlighting the strength of the acidity. Crunchy. Salty. So delicious now but this will age incredibly well.

Hailing from the prestigious wine estate of Bolgheri, the Bolgheri Bolgheri Varvara 2021 is a magnificent triumph of viniculture and a testament to the art of fine winemaking. Handcrafted by the renowned producer, Varvara, this positively exquisite red wine signals its extraordinary quality from the first sniff to the last sip. The wine is a melodious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc varietals, maturing elegantly for 12 months in French oak barrels to achieve its complex depth.

Bolgheri Bolgheri Varvara 2021 is celebrated for its deep, ruby-red colour and robust, layered aroma that teases notes of dark fruit, cedar, and spice. On the palate, it delights with well-balanced fruit and spice flavours, accented by mild tannins and a harmonious finish. This gorgeous wine bears the signature finesse of Bolgheri, a gem of Italy's Tuscan coast known for its superior red wines. It's a bottle any serious wine aficionado would yearn to add to their collection.

Vinous (89)

The 2021 Pelaverga Verduno is classy and elegant to the core. Crushed red berry fruit, sweet floral notes and a kick of citrus are all laced together. Burlotto's silky, polished Pelaverga is about as good as it gets for this quirky variety. Aging in steel helped preserve quite a bit of freshness.

As a revered offering from the esteemed Canalicchio di Sopra estate in the heart of Tuscany, the Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2021 effortlessly expresses the region's rich terroir. This fine wine is an exemplar of the Sangiovese grape, expertly cultivated in the stony soils of Montalcino's northern slope. The fruit is hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, leading to a deep, full-bodied wine that is at once bold and elegant.

The Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2021 undergoes an authentic vinification process, ageing in Slavonian oak casks for at least one year. This young, energetic wine encapsulates the essence of the Tuscan spirit, exhibiting a vibrant cherry and berry flavour profile with a nuanced edge of spice. Canalicchio di Sopra is renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition reflected in every sip of this exceptional wine.

Crafted in Tuscany's esteemed Montalcino region, Capanna Rosso Montalcino 2021 is a testament to the artisanal ingenuity of Italian winemaking. Recognised for their meticulous practices, the Cencioni family, owners of Capanna since 1957, produce this superb wine with utmost care.

The unique terroir, enriched by the Brunello clone Sangiovese grape variety, endows the wine with its quintessential character. Through a delicate process of hand-harvesting, soft pressing, and fermentation in steel vats, the Capanna Rosso Montalcino 2021 blends tradition with modern winemaking techniques. It’s then matured for 12 months in large oak barrels to develop its fine, harmonious nature.

On the palate, it features delightful notes of red fruit, floral nuances, and a hint of spice. Its well-balanced structure, pleasurable, round tannins, and outstanding length make it a superior choice for discerning lovers of Italian red wine. Experience the refined sophistication of Capanna Rosso Montalcino 2021—a marvellous testament to Tuscan winemaking tradition.