Tom Barras

9.5

Then 2013 Salvioni La Cerbaiola is drop dead Gorgeous in all aspects, including the deep, dark and dense ruby-red, garnet appearance, the fruit-laden, perfumed aromatics and flavors, as well as the well balanced structure of ample fruit, medium acidity, and gentle tannins at the long satisfying finish.

Overall, it’s medium/full, particularly elegant and vibrant, from a cooler than normal vintage that many described as a “return to classicism.” I’m unfamiliar with older vintages (prior to global warming) but this is MY style of Brunello. Refined, Classy and a Joy to swirl, sniff and savor.
— 14 days ago

Tom Barras

9.2

A World Class single vineyard Sangiovese from the elevated Chianti appellation east of Florence and Chianti Classico.

With a gorgeous, deep garnet appearance, teasing tertiary aromatics and flavors, the earthy 2009 is medium/full, deep, robust, still solidly structured and balanced with ample acidity and light, dusty tannins. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

8.7

Earmarked for tonight’s garlicky, sautéed shrimp, this one from Georges Lignier is sourced from three Morey-Saint-Denis plots, it is 2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3.

It shows a gorgeous medium ruby appearance followed by perfumed red berry aromatics and flavors. It’s quite dry, light >medium bodied, well structured and balanced with ample red fruit, crisp acidity and mouth coating tannins at the long finish. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

8.9

After a 30 minute decant/aeration, the energetic and tightly knit 2015 Palazzo Reserva displays an attractive redberry/garnet appearance. Unfortunately, it is aromatically subdued, with flavors also reflecting that restrained stance.

Overall, it is medium/full, firmly structured with a good balance of tangy acidity and spicy tannins at the long finish. It may come around with more time in the decanter … or more time on the shelf for the additional bottle that I possess.
— a month ago

Tom Barras

8.9

Rack of Lamb is on the menu tonight and this delicious, easy drinking blend of Grenache and Syrah (80/20), from a unique vineyard footprint that lies in both CNDP and CDR, comes this 2020 Les Quartz from the h in igh quality southern Rhone, Les Clos du Caillou producer.

It displays a gorgeous, leggy, red berry appearance that is backed up by perfumed red and black berry aromas and flavors.

Overall, it is full bodied, lightly structured with a good balance of crisp acidity and light, dusty tannins, which together, deliver a delicious, mouth coating finish. (BTW, It worked beautifully with a sashimi grade tuna appetizer!)
— 3 months ago

Tom Barras

8.9

2021 Vintage. Youthful, ruby/purple appearance, followed by persistent red and black fruit aromatics and flavors. Full bodied, Balanced with gentle acidity and dusty tannins at the softly textured finish. 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 7% Cabernet Franc.
— 4 months ago

Tom Barras

9.2

Still displaying the youth and vitality of a much younger wine, its black fruit appearance is dark and dense, the confirming perfumed aromatics and dark fruit flavors are still quite primary, and its structure is solid with ample fruit, light acidity, and supporting, chalky tannins at the long mouth coating finish. Definitely in its Golden Years. (Should be ideal with tonight’s Soy marinated Rack of Lsmb.)

— a month ago

Tom Barras

9.3

The elegantly textured 2006 Costanti Brunello is Gorgeous in all aspects, leading off with a leggy, dark garnet appearance, seductive tertiary aromatics and flavors, a solid medium/full structure backed up by an abundance of fruit, succulent acidity, light dusty tannins and a very long and satisfying finish. WOW! (Also, it was ideal with tonight’s Pâté de Campagne.)
— 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.0

Sleek and smoothly textured, it displays an engaging, deep garnet appearance, with subtle aromatics and flavors of woodland herbs, dried fruit and nuts, and balsamic nuances. It has good structure and is well balanced with light acidity and gentle tannins at the long, mouth coating, tasty finish. Overall, an excellent wine from an excellent vintage. 2012 vintage.
— 3 months ago

Tom Barras

8.5

Engaging red berry appearance, with matching perfumed aromatics and flavors. Solidly structured with an abundance of fruit, acidity and dusty tannins that yields a chewy, mouth coating , long finish.
— 4 months ago