Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter right before service. The 2020 pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity, with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, red flowers, black tea, fresh sage, some dried green herbs and dry, dusty earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a classic, rustic Chianti Classico without the DOCG designation. Better after 2030 and will drink well through 2045. — 6 days ago

Ericsson

9.5

Super Tuscans are always a treat. Especially with some age in bottle. Needs time in the glass to aerate to scents of tobacco, spice, black fruit and cedar. Cheers. — 16 days ago

Will Stanley

9.2

Second time trying this from the 2015 vintage, first enjoyed five years ago. This was my Christmas Day wine, when it’s always hard to really appreciate or concentrate on a wine what with everything else going on! I ordinarily go for familiar favourites from the Rhône, or aged Bordeaux. Anyway, this Brunello was still super macho, austere and in need of either more time in bottle or some very rustic, Tuscan food. Or both! — 24 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium red garnet , quite narrow ruby garnet rim . Quite open with tobacco , spice , charcoal , plum, cassis , truffle , cedar . Good cedar , cassis and blackberry , dusty tobacco . Well balanced acidity and quite dusty tannins . Good tobacco , dusty cassis tinged finish . Perfect now and over the next 5-10 years , at least in magnum . At Noble Rot , London , 15th Jan 2026 — 21 hours ago

Vanessa

9.4

There’s a quiet intensity to Valdicava that makes its way into each & every sip.

🪽 On the label is the depiction of an archangel with sword raised, and wings open, standing as a symbol of Brunello—a wine shaped by patience, precision & deep respect for place—both protective & powerful, grounded in tradition yet shaped with its own energy.

⛰️ 🌊 Valdicava is located on the slopes of Montosoli (a prized ‘cru’), in one of the coolest sectors of the Brunello appellation, enjoying both cooling & warming factors from the radiant sun, to the forests of Monte Amiata, to the breezes off the Tyrrhenian Sea…

🌱 The growing environment is characterized by tension, which is reflected in this wine holding equal parts strength & finesse.

👁️ It is medium garnet in color with pronounced, layered notes of black cherry, black raspberry, baked plum, boysenberry, cedar, cardamom, nutmeg, cigar box, clove, sweet tobacco, black licorice, fennel, olive tapenade, balsamic, dried oregano, wet earth, leather & peat moss.

👄 The palate is dry, with velvety tannins, a vibrant acidity, and warming, though not intrusive, alcohol at 13.5% ABV & a lingering finish.

👌 It has a bold profile softened with age; it is supple & polished, held together with a firm acidity, giving lift to the kaleidoscope of dynamic aromas & flavors.

🥂Cheers to wines offering a sensory window to a particular place & time.   — 10 days ago

with Deked1

Conrad Green

9.3

violet and rich dark fruit. Tobacco and soft mild tannins — 21 days ago

with Paul and Ara

Tom Garland

9.3

Decant for sediment and pour(decent chunky/fine sediment). A striking dark ruby red color. On the nose: jumping from the glass are port drenched cherries, pencil shavings, tobacco, toffee, balsamic, and cinnamon. Taste: silky, balanced, still fresh wine with currants, little dried cherry, tobacco, earth, dried herbs, and a spicy saline graphite satisfying finish. YUM! In the home stretch, drink. — 8 days ago

with Brenda

Rick Phillips

9.6

Decanted for 6 hours. Bold fruit with notes of cherry, plum and licorice. Hints of leather. Smooth finish. Birthday treat for my best friend! — 10 days ago

with Sherre and Letha

romo

9.2

I’m coming around to BdMs. This was high-toned sweet on mid-palate. Fine finish. — a day ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 Riserva has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is plenty of vintage 2017 intensity, but Rancia is distinctly medium in body and restrained. The wilder side of Sangiovese, one of the signatures of Rancia and Fèlsina. — 15 days ago