Selection with Condition Photos
At Cru World Wine, we understand that bottle condition is crucial when it comes to purchasing wine, especially when buying back vintage wines. That's why we've created our "Selection with Condition Photos" page - a curated selection of wines that includes detailed photos of each bottle, so you can make an informed decision before making a purchase. Our photos show the condition of the bottle, including any signs of wear or damage, giving you the confidence to make an informed purchase decision.
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Selection with Condition Photos
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£848.98 |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£820.73 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£144.80 |
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James Suckling (98)The aromas are always so complex with cherries, blackberries, rosemary, sage and spice. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with a dense and powerful palate, which opens and grows, yet remains agile and beautiful. A solid red. Wonderful segue from the 2015. 80 per cent sangiovese with colorino and canaiolo. Try after 2022. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,023.20 |
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Vinous (99)It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica has just celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday. It displays a brilliant ruby red color and amazing clarity in the glass, with only the slightest bricking around the rim. The bouquet alone is enough to keep you at the edge of your seat, as if opening a cedar treasure box to find dusty rose and sour cherry offset by spiced orange, crushed dried sage and just the slightest hint of animal musk. This is total class, cool-toned and poised, seeming to hover across the palate with an air of red inner florals, as tart woodland berries mix with hints of black tea and lemon oils. There’s a bolt of nervous acidity that keeps the experience remarkably fresh, but also adds a highly attractive sweet and sour note. And finally, while structured and youthful in feel, it finishes completely fresh, vibrant even, with dried currants enlivened by nuances of grapefruit and mint that linger on and on. This is an experience wine in every sense of the word, hailing from a dry and warm harvest yet exemplifying the purity of Sangiovese, as well as its ability to mature for well over three decades. The 1985 La Storica comes directly from the winery’s aging vault, and it was reconditioned with a new cork in 2000. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,419.24 |
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James Suckling (97)Fantastic aromas of coffee, tea leaf, ripe plums and ginger follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a rich and subtle finish. The is dense and powerful yet very refined and reserved. It needs at least five years to show its true character. One of the most refined Biondi-Santi riservas I can remember. The tannin texture is exceptional. Try in 2020. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£1,165.69 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£932.40 |
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Vinous (95)The 1988 Sammarco is fantastic. Sweet, perfumed and highly expressive, with a lot of Sangiovese character coming through. Tobacco, iron, herbs, smoke, dried cherries and menthol form a super-appealing bouquet. The tannins are silky, while the lively acidity ensures well-stored bottles will drink well for another handful of years. What a gorgeous wine this is. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,234.38 |
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Wine Spectator (97)Shows a very ripe nose, with rose, berry and hints of meat. Full-bodied and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Massive yet balanced. What a wine. The greatest Saffredi ever made. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. Better than previously reviewed. Best after 2012. 1,750 cases made. -JS |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£513.64 |
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Wine Spectator (95)A tight and chewy wine, with full body and lots of raisin and spice character. Impressive, ripe tannins. Thick and powerful; needs time in the bottle. From one of the most serious producers in Montalcino now. Best after 2007. 21,660 cases made. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£372.00 |
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From the fine lineage of Frescobaldi winemakers, the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 stands as a testament to timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Crowned from the bountiful vineyards in Tuscany's Montalcino region, it embodies the dedication and skill reflective of the Frescobaldi family's six centuries of winemaking wisdom. This cameo of excellence is crafted using 100% Sangiovese grape variety - matured meticulously for five years, including a minimum of two years in oak barrels, before reaching perfection. Endowed with a perceptive full-bodied complexity, the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 unveils lingering layers of ripe red fruit, spices, and earthy notes. Aged meticulously, it elevates the palate with its profound balance, unrivalled structure, and rich velvety tannins. This captivating symphony of flavours reaffirms Frescobaldi's position as a luminary in crafting iconic Italian wines, with the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 standing as an imperishable legacy of the vintage. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£395.09 |
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Vinous (98)A beguiling mix of camphor and minty herbs, along with crushed stone, blows off slowly to reveal dark depths of black raspberry, licorice, autumnal spice and worn leather as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli unfolds in the glass. Its textures are unexpectedly soft and velvety-smooth, coupled with depths of intense red fruits that make an appearance just before a mix of brisk acids and tannins creates a more tactile and youthfully clenching expression toward the finale. This leaves the palate aching under the 2016’s structural heft, yet with plenty of primary concentration to balance, as wild savory herbs and earthy mineral tones linger for up to a minute. The potential here is off the charts, but readers will need to be very patient. The Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a cru selection of old vines that refines for 48 months in large French oak barrels of 33–52 hectoliters. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£264.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2004 Cepparello has fleshed out beautifully since I last tasted it. Dark raspberries, flowers, licorice and spices blossom from the glass as the wine opens up over time. When it was young the 2004 was a much more linear wine, but since then it has put on a lot of weight. Today, the 2004 comes across as a modern day 1982 because of its balance of aromatics, fruit and structure. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,435.14 |
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Vinous (100)The 2004 Masseto, one of my personal favorites, is positively stellar. I have always adored the 2004 for its silky tannins, stunning aromatic presence and total finesse, all of which are on display today. Beautifully pure to the long finish and profoundly beautiful in every way, the 2004 has it all. It was a textbook vintage that only presented one real challenge, and that was moderating the naturally high yields that resulted from an unblocking of energy the vines had held in store from the previous year. Where producers moderated yields, the wines are often stunning, as is very much the case here. If forced to choose only one vintage of Masseto I could own or drink it would be the 2004. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£966.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)A wine of extraordinary purity, silkiness and finesse, the 2010 Masseto has it all. The flavors are bright, precise and exceptionally pure, but it is the wine’s total balance that is utterly compelling. What more can I ask from a wine? Absolutely nothing. There is often something magical about cooler, later-ripening vintages at the estate. The interplay of more moderate conditions with the inherent power of these sites can yield wines of profound beauty and brilliance. The 2010 is all that, and more. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,205.62 |
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James Suckling (100)Wow. Fabulous aromas of currants, rosemary, mint and orange peel. Perfect nose. Full body with perfectly integrated tannins. It's long and incredible with tangerine, toasted-oak, berry, terracotta and chocolate flavors. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This needs at least five years to soften but so spellbinding now. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. VAT
£4,452.46 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Very dark healthy shaded crimson. Intense, ripe but subtle – very interesting! Rather like ashes on the palate – a big bruiser with something in common with the 1985 but made much more gently. Definitely sweet. 13.5% CS:M:CF 76:18:6 218,000 bottles |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,206.83 |
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Wine Advocate (93)The 2015 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a dark, exuberant and opulent wine that is teeming with flavor, ripeness and extract. That said, there is also a note of impurity that I only really locked in on when I went back to taste the wine at different time intervals later in the day and the next. To be clear, it was there upon first examination, but then it blew off. And then it came back. That game of hide and seek proved distracting and puzzling. I wondered if it was cork or barrel, although it did not behave like any of those things, and my doubt is recorded by the question mark next to my score. Once you get past that little blemish, you are instantly aware of the beauty and depth of the vintage. The wine is savory in terms of aromas and sweet in terms of tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon flavors of dried blackberry, toasted espresso and cured tobacco play leading roles. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£385.24 |
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James Suckling (100)Earthy aromas of bark, sand, truffles, graphite, rust, terracotta and sandalwood rise up from the deep with Burgundian poise; fruitier orange zest and preserved lemons glimmer in their wake, while riper incense and tar lurk in this dense forest of aromas. Physics itself gives way as the line between reduction and oxidation is blurred. There’s such richness to the center palate, but the fruit there is vivacious and elegant, swaddled in robust but generous tannins that breach the outermost reaches of the mouth. The finish is hauntingly long, the after effects of the acidity unworldly. This is certainly in a quiet, reserved stage of evolution, and will need time to fully mature in bottle. Drink in 2025. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 91 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£4,466.47 |
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Wine Advocate (91)The 1995 Bolgheri Sassicaia still holds court, thank you very much. It reminds me of a grande dame, or a woman of influence and sophistication who lights up the room thanks to her expertly delivered, albeit antiquated charm. The wine's aged evolution is evident as the bouquet releases sure aromas of dried fruit, old spice, saffron and cola. I can't say the aromas reach perfect equilibrium, because they don't. There is a muddled fruit note in there too that subtracts from its purity. The mouthfeel is svelte and lean with finely polished and silky tannins. In fact, the wine's texture shows precision and elegance. Pretty menthol notes appear on the long finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,887.64 |
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James Suckling (98)Love the aromas to this young red with blackcurrants, sage, cinnamon and five-spice character. Changes all the time. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with a ripe and rich tannin backbone that gives form and beauty to the ripe and beautiful fruit. Tight and very long. Approachable now but will reward more in five to six years. A classic Sassicaia. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,507.24 |
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Wine Advocate (97+)This is a classic vintage of an Italian icon now celebrating its 50th vintage. The Tenuta San Guido 2018 Bolgheri Sassicaia lays out a familiar blueprint that borrows from the proven track record of this landmark estate that extends into the hills just beyond the Tyrrhenian shores of Tuscany. This vintage is crystalline and pure in its delivery, and if you are familiar with previous editions, it is impossible to mistake this wine for anything but Sassicaia. The growing season started off cool and wet but turned to warm and dry conditions comfortably before the harvest. Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc in a supporting role deliver a graceful mid-weight texture that holds back style-wise in terms of phenolic density. The wine's careful balance is achieved thanks to the nuanced character of the fruit, the present acidity, the well-managed structure and the contained alcohol. The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive. The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe. Overall, the 2018 Sassicaia weighs in with a svelte frame and long persistence. Moreover, it is distinguished by the archetypal elegance and pedigree of the classic vintages of the past. This new release gives you much pleasure to await. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£2,100.29 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 1995 Solaia is simply magnificent. Here it is the wine's combination of richness and vibrancy that impresses. The 1995 is a wine of total balance, harmony and class. What a great showing. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,008.03 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Dark ruby in color, with extremely ripe raisin and spice aromas. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of polished tannins and a long, long finish that's big and fruity. A solid, muscular red fromTuscany, this is the greatest Solaia ever made. Best after 2004. 7,000 cases made. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£2,513.09 |
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Vinous (93)(a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% sangiovese and 5% cabernet franc) Medium to full garnet. Enticing perfume of cedar, sweet incense, pipe tobacco and Indian spices. Warm and generous on the palate, with focused raspberry flavors framed by mouthcoating tannins. Dark berry fruit and minty overtones accompany the long finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,745.63 |
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Vinous (96)Our third flight kicks off with the 1999 Solaia. Still a powerhouse, the 1999 (magnum) packs a serious punch. Dark macerated cherry, espresso, chocolate, licorice and blackberry jam infuse the 1999 with so much character. The 1999 is very much a product of its era, a time when heavy extraction and a search for concentration ruled the day. Even so, it has aged impeccably. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,897.22 |
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Vinous (96+)In 2014, the very challenging, wet growing season yielded just a single cask of Sangiovese that I was able to taste a few times before it was bottled. From the beginning, the 2014 was mesmerizing. It is all that and more today. Powerful and yet translucent in the glass, the 2014 presents a beguiling mélange of dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and leather. I would be in no rush to open the 2014 today, as it is still very young. Soldera has historically done quite well in difficult years. I won’t be at all surprised if the 2014 turns out even better than this note suggests. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,841.24 |
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Vinous (96+)In 2014, the very challenging, wet growing season yielded just a single cask of Sangiovese that I was able to taste a few times before it was bottled. From the beginning, the 2014 was mesmerizing. It is all that and more today. Powerful and yet translucent in the glass, the 2014 presents a beguiling mélange of dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and leather. I would be in no rush to open the 2014 today, as it is still very young. Soldera has historically done quite well in difficult years. I won’t be at all surprised if the 2014 turns out even better than this note suggests. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£1,725.62 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 90 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£15,534.07 |
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Wine Advocate (90)One of the most exotic, complex, and individualistic Brunellos produced, Soldera's just released 1994 Case Basse Riserva offers intense aromatic fireworks. A dark ruby/garnet color is followed by a stunning nose of spice box, cedar, soy, cinnamon, red and black fruits, earth, and truffle scents. Few wines achieve the aromatic intensity and complexity of Soldera's Brunello di Montalcinos. In the mouth, the 1994 is medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, with sweet ripeness, a firm tannic underpinning, and a pure, concentrated finish. Drink it over the next 15-18 years. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,169.46 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is a stunning wine and one of the best in this report covering the icons of Tuscany. The 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Fruit is sourced from the very best parcels, and the blending formula changes according to vintage and the style desired by vintner Andrea Franchetti. These vineyard parcels vary in altitude, ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, and the soils are quite varied with pockets of clay, sand and rock. The Trinoro is profoundly deep and pure with a solid core of black fruit that is framed by an elegant contour of spice, tobacco, smoke and crushed stone. To the palate, the wine is long and the finish can be counted in minutes, but the entire experience is beautifully streamlined and velvety. This vintage saw an important freeze event on the 7th of May, and 9,000 fire candles were lit in the lower vineyard blocks to fight off frost damage. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£669.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£647.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£118.00 |
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James Suckling (98)The aromas are always so complex with cherries, blackberries, rosemary, sage and spice. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with a dense and powerful palate, which opens and grows, yet remains agile and beautiful. A solid red. Wonderful segue from the 2015. 80 per cent sangiovese with colorino and canaiolo. Try after 2022. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (VN) |
In Bond
£850.00 |
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Vinous (99)It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica has just celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday. It displays a brilliant ruby red color and amazing clarity in the glass, with only the slightest bricking around the rim. The bouquet alone is enough to keep you at the edge of your seat, as if opening a cedar treasure box to find dusty rose and sour cherry offset by spiced orange, crushed dried sage and just the slightest hint of animal musk. This is total class, cool-toned and poised, seeming to hover across the palate with an air of red inner florals, as tart woodland berries mix with hints of black tea and lemon oils. There’s a bolt of nervous acidity that keeps the experience remarkably fresh, but also adds a highly attractive sweet and sour note. And finally, while structured and youthful in feel, it finishes completely fresh, vibrant even, with dried currants enlivened by nuances of grapefruit and mint that linger on and on. This is an experience wine in every sense of the word, hailing from a dry and warm harvest yet exemplifying the purity of Sangiovese, as well as its ability to mature for well over three decades. The 1985 La Storica comes directly from the winery’s aging vault, and it was reconditioned with a new cork in 2000. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£2,000.00 |
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James Suckling (97)Fantastic aromas of coffee, tea leaf, ripe plums and ginger follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a rich and subtle finish. The is dense and powerful yet very refined and reserved. It needs at least five years to show its true character. One of the most refined Biondi-Santi riservas I can remember. The tannin texture is exceptional. Try in 2020. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£965.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£932.40 |
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Vinous (95)The 1988 Sammarco is fantastic. Sweet, perfumed and highly expressive, with a lot of Sangiovese character coming through. Tobacco, iron, herbs, smoke, dried cherries and menthol form a super-appealing bouquet. The tannins are silky, while the lively acidity ensures well-stored bottles will drink well for another handful of years. What a gorgeous wine this is. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
£1,003.00 |
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Wine Spectator (97)Shows a very ripe nose, with rose, berry and hints of meat. Full-bodied and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Massive yet balanced. What a wine. The greatest Saffredi ever made. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. Better than previously reviewed. Best after 2012. 1,750 cases made. -JS |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WS) |
In Bond
£412.00 |
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Wine Spectator (95)A tight and chewy wine, with full body and lots of raisin and spice character. Impressive, ripe tannins. Thick and powerful; needs time in the bottle. From one of the most serious producers in Montalcino now. Best after 2007. 21,660 cases made. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£372.00 |
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From the fine lineage of Frescobaldi winemakers, the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 stands as a testament to timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Crowned from the bountiful vineyards in Tuscany's Montalcino region, it embodies the dedication and skill reflective of the Frescobaldi family's six centuries of winemaking wisdom. This cameo of excellence is crafted using 100% Sangiovese grape variety - matured meticulously for five years, including a minimum of two years in oak barrels, before reaching perfection. Endowed with a perceptive full-bodied complexity, the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 unveils lingering layers of ripe red fruit, spices, and earthy notes. Aged meticulously, it elevates the palate with its profound balance, unrivalled structure, and rich velvety tannins. This captivating symphony of flavours reaffirms Frescobaldi's position as a luminary in crafting iconic Italian wines, with the Frescobaldi Ferre Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1993 standing as an imperishable legacy of the vintage. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (VN) |
In Bond
£310.00 |
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Vinous (98)A beguiling mix of camphor and minty herbs, along with crushed stone, blows off slowly to reveal dark depths of black raspberry, licorice, autumnal spice and worn leather as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli unfolds in the glass. Its textures are unexpectedly soft and velvety-smooth, coupled with depths of intense red fruits that make an appearance just before a mix of brisk acids and tannins creates a more tactile and youthfully clenching expression toward the finale. This leaves the palate aching under the 2016’s structural heft, yet with plenty of primary concentration to balance, as wild savory herbs and earthy mineral tones linger for up to a minute. The potential here is off the charts, but readers will need to be very patient. The Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a cru selection of old vines that refines for 48 months in large French oak barrels of 33–52 hectoliters. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£264.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2004 Cepparello has fleshed out beautifully since I last tasted it. Dark raspberries, flowers, licorice and spices blossom from the glass as the wine opens up over time. When it was young the 2004 was a much more linear wine, but since then it has put on a lot of weight. Today, the 2004 comes across as a modern day 1982 because of its balance of aromatics, fruit and structure. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,853.00 |
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Vinous (100)The 2004 Masseto, one of my personal favorites, is positively stellar. I have always adored the 2004 for its silky tannins, stunning aromatic presence and total finesse, all of which are on display today. Beautifully pure to the long finish and profoundly beautiful in every way, the 2004 has it all. It was a textbook vintage that only presented one real challenge, and that was moderating the naturally high yields that resulted from an unblocking of energy the vines had held in store from the previous year. Where producers moderated yields, the wines are often stunning, as is very much the case here. If forced to choose only one vintage of Masseto I could own or drink it would be the 2004. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£966.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)A wine of extraordinary purity, silkiness and finesse, the 2010 Masseto has it all. The flavors are bright, precise and exceptionally pure, but it is the wine’s total balance that is utterly compelling. What more can I ask from a wine? Absolutely nothing. There is often something magical about cooler, later-ripening vintages at the estate. The interplay of more moderate conditions with the inherent power of these sites can yield wines of profound beauty and brilliance. The 2010 is all that, and more. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,830.00 |
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James Suckling (100)Wow. Fabulous aromas of currants, rosemary, mint and orange peel. Perfect nose. Full body with perfectly integrated tannins. It's long and incredible with tangerine, toasted-oak, berry, terracotta and chocolate flavors. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This needs at least five years to soften but so spellbinding now. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
£3,689.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Very dark healthy shaded crimson. Intense, ripe but subtle – very interesting! Rather like ashes on the palate – a big bruiser with something in common with the 1985 but made much more gently. Definitely sweet. 13.5% CS:M:CF 76:18:6 218,000 bottles |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
£995.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93)The 2015 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a dark, exuberant and opulent wine that is teeming with flavor, ripeness and extract. That said, there is also a note of impurity that I only really locked in on when I went back to taste the wine at different time intervals later in the day and the next. To be clear, it was there upon first examination, but then it blew off. And then it came back. That game of hide and seek proved distracting and puzzling. I wondered if it was cork or barrel, although it did not behave like any of those things, and my doubt is recorded by the question mark next to my score. Once you get past that little blemish, you are instantly aware of the beauty and depth of the vintage. The wine is savory in terms of aromas and sweet in terms of tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon flavors of dried blackberry, toasted espresso and cured tobacco play leading roles. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
In Bond
£305.00 |
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James Suckling (100)Earthy aromas of bark, sand, truffles, graphite, rust, terracotta and sandalwood rise up from the deep with Burgundian poise; fruitier orange zest and preserved lemons glimmer in their wake, while riper incense and tar lurk in this dense forest of aromas. Physics itself gives way as the line between reduction and oxidation is blurred. There’s such richness to the center palate, but the fruit there is vivacious and elegant, swaddled in robust but generous tannins that breach the outermost reaches of the mouth. The finish is hauntingly long, the after effects of the acidity unworldly. This is certainly in a quiet, reserved stage of evolution, and will need time to fully mature in bottle. Drink in 2025. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 91 (WA) |
In Bond
£3,690.00 |
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Wine Advocate (91)The 1995 Bolgheri Sassicaia still holds court, thank you very much. It reminds me of a grande dame, or a woman of influence and sophistication who lights up the room thanks to her expertly delivered, albeit antiquated charm. The wine's aged evolution is evident as the bouquet releases sure aromas of dried fruit, old spice, saffron and cola. I can't say the aromas reach perfect equilibrium, because they don't. There is a muddled fruit note in there too that subtracts from its purity. The mouthfeel is svelte and lean with finely polished and silky tannins. In fact, the wine's texture shows precision and elegance. Pretty menthol notes appear on the long finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,557.00 |
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James Suckling (98)Love the aromas to this young red with blackcurrants, sage, cinnamon and five-spice character. Changes all the time. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with a ripe and rich tannin backbone that gives form and beauty to the ripe and beautiful fruit. Tight and very long. Approachable now but will reward more in five to six years. A classic Sassicaia. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97+ (WA) |
In Bond
£1,240.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97+)This is a classic vintage of an Italian icon now celebrating its 50th vintage. The Tenuta San Guido 2018 Bolgheri Sassicaia lays out a familiar blueprint that borrows from the proven track record of this landmark estate that extends into the hills just beyond the Tyrrhenian shores of Tuscany. This vintage is crystalline and pure in its delivery, and if you are familiar with previous editions, it is impossible to mistake this wine for anything but Sassicaia. The growing season started off cool and wet but turned to warm and dry conditions comfortably before the harvest. Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc in a supporting role deliver a graceful mid-weight texture that holds back style-wise in terms of phenolic density. The wine's careful balance is achieved thanks to the nuanced character of the fruit, the present acidity, the well-managed structure and the contained alcohol. The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive. The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe. Overall, the 2018 Sassicaia weighs in with a svelte frame and long persistence. Moreover, it is distinguished by the archetypal elegance and pedigree of the classic vintages of the past. This new release gives you much pleasure to await. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£1,731.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 1995 Solaia is simply magnificent. Here it is the wine's combination of richness and vibrancy that impresses. The 1995 is a wine of total balance, harmony and class. What a great showing. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£1,660.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Dark ruby in color, with extremely ripe raisin and spice aromas. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of polished tannins and a long, long finish that's big and fruity. A solid, muscular red fromTuscany, this is the greatest Solaia ever made. Best after 2004. 7,000 cases made. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,075.00 |
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Vinous (93)(a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% sangiovese and 5% cabernet franc) Medium to full garnet. Enticing perfume of cedar, sweet incense, pipe tobacco and Indian spices. Warm and generous on the palate, with focused raspberry flavors framed by mouthcoating tannins. Dark berry fruit and minty overtones accompany the long finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£1,444.00 |
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Vinous (96)Our third flight kicks off with the 1999 Solaia. Still a powerhouse, the 1999 (magnum) packs a serious punch. Dark macerated cherry, espresso, chocolate, licorice and blackberry jam infuse the 1999 with so much character. The 1999 is very much a product of its era, a time when heavy extraction and a search for concentration ruled the day. Even so, it has aged impeccably. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
In Bond
£1,573.00 |
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Vinous (96+)In 2014, the very challenging, wet growing season yielded just a single cask of Sangiovese that I was able to taste a few times before it was bottled. From the beginning, the 2014 was mesmerizing. It is all that and more today. Powerful and yet translucent in the glass, the 2014 presents a beguiling mélange of dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and leather. I would be in no rush to open the 2014 today, as it is still very young. Soldera has historically done quite well in difficult years. I won’t be at all surprised if the 2014 turns out even better than this note suggests. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
In Bond
£3,185.00 |
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Vinous (96+)In 2014, the very challenging, wet growing season yielded just a single cask of Sangiovese that I was able to taste a few times before it was bottled. From the beginning, the 2014 was mesmerizing. It is all that and more today. Powerful and yet translucent in the glass, the 2014 presents a beguiling mélange of dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and leather. I would be in no rush to open the 2014 today, as it is still very young. Soldera has historically done quite well in difficult years. I won’t be at all surprised if the 2014 turns out even better than this note suggests. |
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£1,430.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 90 (WA) |
In Bond
£12,913.00 |
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Wine Advocate (90)One of the most exotic, complex, and individualistic Brunellos produced, Soldera's just released 1994 Case Basse Riserva offers intense aromatic fireworks. A dark ruby/garnet color is followed by a stunning nose of spice box, cedar, soy, cinnamon, red and black fruits, earth, and truffle scents. Few wines achieve the aromatic intensity and complexity of Soldera's Brunello di Montalcinos. In the mouth, the 1994 is medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, with sweet ripeness, a firm tannic underpinning, and a pure, concentrated finish. Drink it over the next 15-18 years. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,788.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is a stunning wine and one of the best in this report covering the icons of Tuscany. The 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Fruit is sourced from the very best parcels, and the blending formula changes according to vintage and the style desired by vintner Andrea Franchetti. These vineyard parcels vary in altitude, ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, and the soils are quite varied with pockets of clay, sand and rock. The Trinoro is profoundly deep and pure with a solid core of black fruit that is framed by an elegant contour of spice, tobacco, smoke and crushed stone. To the palate, the wine is long and the finish can be counted in minutes, but the entire experience is beautifully streamlined and velvety. This vintage saw an important freeze event on the 7th of May, and 9,000 fire candles were lit in the lower vineyard blocks to fight off frost damage. |
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