Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Casalino – Brunello di Montalcino 2020
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Sangiovese (Brunello clone) from Montalcino, crafted in a more approachable, mid-range style. This vintage emphasizes balance and harmony, showcasing the elegance of Brunello without excessive austerity.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherry, plum, and dried cranberry lead the profile, layered with hints of leather, tobacco, and subtle spice. A touch of earthiness adds depth and classic Brunello character.

Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-plus body with soft, well-integrated tannins and a refined structure. The balance between acidity and texture is seamless, leading to a long, smooth, and satisfying finish.

Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, wild game, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Also shines with classic Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced Brunello that leans into elegance and drinkability. Not overly aggressive—just harmonious, structured, and genuinely enjoyable. A great entry point or casual luxury Brunello.

Did You Know?
Brunello di Montalcino must be aged a minimum of 5 years before release (including at least 2 years in oak), which is why even approachable styles carry inherent depth and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick
A “weekday Brunello” (yes, that’s a thing 😄) refined enough to impress, relaxed enough to enjoy without ceremony. — 2 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.3

Nice acid fruit balance. Elegant without trying to impress — 5 years ago

Bijoy Shah

9.3

Mildly fruity, with hibiscus, vanilla, and bread notes. Very tasty — 6 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

The 2012 Grand Vin from Kapcsàndy is an absolutely fascinating wine, which is composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot. This fabulous wine instantly impresses as it bursts open to a seductive nose, with captivating aromas of sweet ripe black currants, blueberries, violets, graphite and hints of sweet spices all taking shape. This goes on to impress with its full-bodied richness and gorgeous plush, utterly seamless texture that gracefully envelops the palate. It displays wonderful overall balance, concentration and depth with enough structure to support the layers of ripe dark fruits that expand all the way through the beautiful long finish. The 2012 Grand Vin has it all and is clearly one of the finest wines from this vintage. While this is certainly nothing short of marvelous today, it also possesses the characteristics that will allow this to age marvelously for decades. — 7 years ago

Will Stanley

9.2

This really came into its own on the second night (on the first I decanted for an hour or so, but still felt quite austere). The wine shows no sign of its nine years of age, a fairly rustic expression of the (predominantly Merlot-based) blend with enough fruit to give it longevity. Very full, well balanced and enjoyable. Would enjoy revisiting in eight years. Even the ‘lesser’ wines from 2010 continue to impress. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

2016 MacRostie ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir ($34.00)- A seriously good value, the ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir by MacRostie screams class with its bright red fruit and cola with citrus rind aromatics that all impress. The palate is plush, delivering both a silky texture and a lithe mouthfeel. Plush and dense red fruits dance with blood orange and kumquat flavors with a kiss of cola. Delicious now, enjoy this over the next eight plus years. Drink 2019-2025- 93
— 7 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.5

This was in the Zone. Supple tannins, rich fruit, clean acidic finish. So happy to hit on it since others of same producer and year tried at other times didn’t impress the same way. — 5 years ago

with Vicki and Eli

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2018 Mollydooker ‘The Velvet Glove’ Shiraz is a utterly sensational bottling that rivals any wine of its kind. Aged in all new American oak, this shows a gorgeous bouquet from blueberry pie to espresso grounds, graphite and toasty oak tones that all impress. The palate is deep and utterly seamless. A massive core of blue and dark fruits collide with white pepper, minerals, firm tannins and a light dusting of salinity. While obviously big, this has a weightless quality and wonderful verve. Wonderful to enjoy now, this outstanding Shiraz will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. But why wait? Drink 2021-2038- 98 — 5 years ago

Lauren Stamm

9.5

Deep red cherries in this balanced red. Favorite red for those who might not be a fan. — 6 years ago

Diane Kessler

9.3

This continues to impress. Surprisingly youthful with dark cherry, cedar, and tobacco. Tannins are softening and the finish is long. — 6 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

Last 2 bottles didn't impress me much, this one did, big time! Off course, my last bottle... — 7 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

Following last year's sensational vintage, 2016 was another stellar growing season in Bolgheri and expectations were once again set high for Sassicaia. The 2016 Sassicaia certainly does not disappoint, as it is an absolutely monumental effort that completely delivers, and in some aspects even looks to be more compelling than last years brilliant wine. Composed of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, the 2016 is all about elegance, class and purity. It begins to impress with its striking aromas of fresh blackberries, dark cherries, fresh florals, exotic spices and wild herbs along with a touch of licorice and mineral characteristics all coming together to complete the seductive nose. On the palate this is nothing short of extraordinary, as it displays outstanding overall structure and balance along with remarkable clarity and precision. This continues to dazzle with its beautiful expression of incredibly pure red and dark fruits, along with exotic spices and floral characteristics which all work their way seamlessly across the palate before leaving a lasting impression on the gorgeous finish. The 2016 is without question another all-time classic vintage for Sassicaia, as it clearly possesses the elements that indicate an extremely bright future ahead, with the potential to evolve into a perfect wine over time. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2009 'Viña Cubillo' is a fantastic showing which exudes toasty oak up front with secondary aromatics of rose petals and red cherries. On the palate this impresses with its silky smooth texture, as well as concentreted flavors of red cherries, orange zest and baking spice flavors that connect with marvelous tension. The rich mouthfeel is really outstanding as it continues to impress through the finish. This is a remarkable value from one of the most famous producers in Rioja. Drink 2029-2029- 92 — 7 years ago

Cali Haas

9.3

If you're looking for the pinnacle of Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in an old world style look no further. Bright acidity with elegant tannins are guaranteed to impress. Drinking great now. With potential to age gracefully — 5 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Medium garnet hue, bricking slightly towards the edges with great translucency.

On the nose this wine is bold and and aromatic, with cranberry, cherry kirsch, blueberry, hoisin, and notes of savoury game, showing the complexity of age.

The palate sees an explosion of sweet cherry with a slightly confected edge, perhaps owing to the hot vintage and high ABV, as well as Turkish delight, dark chocolate ganache, five spice, strawberry, blackberry, roasted meats and espresso. This could only be Chateauneuf. There is a strong spicy character, enough acidity to keep things in balance, and nicely resolved tannins. The finish is quite long, and very dry. This is a superb Châteauneuf that should continue to impress for the next decade. — 5 years ago

Jamie Sonneville

9.2

Super smooth. Really enjoyed this with chicken parm. — 6 years ago

Steven Lee

9.0

Claude havent impress me so far. Overall abit bitter but has the burgundian feel — 6 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.3

The 2016 Vaillons Chablis is a simply brilliant showing from Dauvissat, who has a reputation for producing some of the finest Chablis in the region and there is no exception in this difficult vintage. As this gorgeous wine slowly unwinds in the glass it releases pretty aromas of orchard and citrus fruits, followed by orange zest, honey blossoms and pulverized stones. It goes on to impress as it displays wonderful overall purity and focus through a beautifully textured palate and remarkably precise finish. Overall this is a marvelous wine that is showing wonderful energy and appeal in its youth, but should also evolve beautifully for years to come. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2015 Ramey ‘Hyde VIneyard’ Chardonnay is a simply gorgeous new wine that is one of the best of its kind by superstar winemaker, David Ramey. Set on clay loam soils, the strongly marine-influenced Hyde Vineyard has gained an international reputation for producing outstanding Chardonnay grapes. This Carneros bottling shows intense nutmeg, vanilla creme brulee, macadamia nut and heavy whipping cream flavors that impress. Lithe and rich, this gorgeous bottling will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The 2016 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a stunning wine from this famed estate. Needing more than an hour decant to fully develop, this starts off with beeswax, brandy soaked pear, nutmeg, and ripe banana that impress, as the intoxicating bouquet continues to bring you back to the glass. On the palate, the unctuous mouthfeel entices the senses. Silky smooth gliding through the palate, flavors reminiscent of baked pear, marzipan, banana bread and honeydew melon move through, leading to an exceeding long and satisfying finish. The salinity and light stony character of the wine further pushes this into the upper echelon of this prestigious region in the Rhone Valley. Enjoyable now, this wine will cellar well for decades. Drink 2019-2035- 96 — 7 years ago