Last of my case of this. Man has this matured over the short year-ish that I've had it. White pepper, subtle cherry, anise, hazelnut. Medium bodied, medium alcohol, medium minus acidity, soft yet chewy tannins. If not for some sharp angles on the finish, I would blind taste this as a Brunello presentation of Sangiovese. This can improve still more with age. Excellent!
93 points — 7 hours ago
This was infanticide - absolutely inky & impenetrable color, and shut down nose. I caught a glimpse of the power & depth after several hours, but I opted to hold the bottle for a couple of days… glad I did: drenched in rich black cherry, blackberry, black plum, and secondary notes galore: smoke & white pepper, lilacs & violets, turned soil, cherry cough drop, and so much more. Wave after wave, first it was Brunello then it was some intense Aussie Shiraz. Palate is huge, but finely grained tannins. Lacking acidity is really the only facet holding this back. Paired w/leftover roasted lamb w/balsamic reduction over rice. Impressive @Lyle Fass but I won’t touch this again for at least 5 yrs — 10 days ago
Hot vintage, warm, aromatic, baked earth, dark cherry, dried herbs, a bit of olive tapenade, yet incredibly fresh, cool, enticing.
Medium bodied on the palate with incredible freshness, juicy acidity, pure fruit. Great depth & character, so drinkable, so fresh.
Year in, year out - even in a difficult hot vintage - this is just brilliant.
One of my all time favourites! — 3 days ago
In 1877, Illario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundations of their dream to make Italian wines from the heart of Tuscany. Medium Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice. On the palate black cherry, blackberry and plum flavors with tobacco, pepper and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality. — 6 days ago
Nose jumps out of the glass. Ripe red cherries, plum and lots of spice. Slightly roasted as well. But not dominant and might blow off. Palate is just a massive blockbuster of a Brunello. Big and bruising with luscious, high acid cherry fruit. Complex but also a clipped finish and big tannins. But this is balanced. Just needs air. Fruit is sweet and massive. There is nothing subtle here. Really fresh and energetic. For what it is it’s very nice but it’s something I’m not sure I want to drink beyond once a year. Very long. Maybe my score goes up with air.
Narrator: my score went down with air. Became more tannic and nose got more roasted. 9.4 to 9.2. — 11 days ago
Allison Lyzenga
Pale garnet; medium plus intensity aromas of wild berries, spices, black cherry, red plum, spiced apple rings, dry herbs, sweet baking spices, vine; dry, medium plus acid, medium smooth tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; spicy light and complex, delightful — 3 days ago