Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Restrained nose of sour cherry, spice and mineral. Some fresh rain. Floral as well. Very fragrant. Palate is super fresh with lovely purity and density. Lovely mouth coating tannins that are finely threaded and super present but never intrusive. Very elegant and fine. Like in a Margaux style. — 3 days ago

Manny Abascal

9.4

I opened a Saturday night wine on a Tuesday night because, well, life is too short. Rich and deep nose, mid weight palate with cherry, some leather, silky tannins, endless finish, balance, complex. 375ml and still young. — a day ago

Maurizio Abbà

9.5

2005 was a challenging year for Tuscany, especially in Montalcino. Several days of raining (especially in March and September) interrupted the ripening of the grapes. Only the best vineyards, with south/south-east exposure, reached maturity. Among them, we can find Greppo, the single vineyard from Biondi-Santi estate. Biondi-Santi is the father of Brunello, the first bottle of one of the Italian flagship wines being bottled by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi in 1888. It is also the first DOCG in Italy. In short, it's history in a glass. We can be safe in assuming that, even in difficult years such as 2005, this producer will extract all the value in the grape.

The color, after 3 years in Slavonian oak casks and 14 years in bottle, is a beautiful garnet red with orange finishing. Beautiful, powerful. The nose starts with the typical notes of Sangiovese, rose, sour cherry, a hint of almonds, while age delivers tertiary flavors such as leather, tobacco, cedar. There are no gamey notes that can be found in older Brunellos slightly over their expiration date, a sign of the ability of the winemaker to make the most out of this difficult year. A subtle hint of vanilla completes the bouquet.
The first sip reveals a powerful acidity (maybe too much), probably a sign of the cold weather, paired with perceptible alcol level and smooth, refined tannins. The balance is almost perfect, alcol and acidity creating a wonderful pair, where mature tannins are able to perform at their best (medium-high acidity, medium alcol, medium-high mature tannins, full body).

The aftertaste is long, pleasant, offering taste of sour cherry and hints of tobacco. Lastly, we find again this subtle note of vanilla.
Biondi-Santi produced less than 40000 bottles in 2005, and we recommend to open them now, as this year is now at its peak. Difficult years require savvy hands to work the grape, and Biondi-Santi is one of the master in the art of winemaking. — 5 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Bought this to see what. 97 point wine tastes like ;-). Coiled but balanced. Very bright cherry fruit. Closed on the nose. Needs 3 years or so. Will either be a nice elegant drink or a great one. Hard to tell at this point. ... as this opens it’s getting super pretty. Cherry flowers. ... hints of cherry cough syrup. My gut is that this lacks the density to be truly epic but has the balance to be lovely for a long time. If the aromatics develop I could be convinced otherwise. — 10 days ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.3

The first and last vintage produced, as these Gobelet trained vines will from 2016 and onwards be part of Ragnaie’s Brunello di Montalcino bottling. Stunning purity, very elegant, verging on racy with defined tannins and stretching flavours. 2400 bottles produced. — 10 days ago

Chris England

9.2

This is probably my favourite Sangiovese for the money so thought I’d take one for the community & try the new 2015 @ £65 so you know if you should buy 😉 The 07 is stunning now & this 15 is drinking well but should be just as fab but is lighter at present 😉 We drank 3 bottles over the weekend 😊 Oakier than others I’ve had but not dominating 😉

🐮 The 3rd bottle paired perfectly w/ Mrs Es slow cooked Beef Stew & Dumplings in gloopy gravy 😍 on a cold rainy ☔️ day

📍 Isole e Olena Cepparello 2015

🏵 92-93 today w/ potential for 95-96 I’d say

🍇 Sangiovese

🍷 Clear rich ruby

👃 Smokey oak infused cherry w/ tones on spiced black fruits, minerals, cranberry, cedar chards & light herbs

👄 Med body of smooth red cherry & black berry in touch dry minerals w/ a slight mocha & cranberry tones coming through

🎯 Med+ big red cherry boom w/ a slight sweet black berry undertone oozing through mineral, red berry & mocha w/ a dry oaky linger
— 17 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

100% Sangiovese.

Nose has freshly sliced clementine, crushed black raspberry and wet minerals.
Palate is fresh and lively, citrus, red fruits with light green herbal notes and powdered sugar on the medium finish.

The color is just amazing, translucent ruby on steroids! We can't wait for warmer weather to enjoy this while relaxing outside! — 11 days ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.3

This one is a bit more generous with fruit and shows a slightly broader mid palate than the more northern cru. Still very nervy and tight with screeching acidity. Love the intensity, but wouldn’t dare open this for another 5 years. — 5 days ago

Jim McCusker

9.1

Excellent example of a Nobile, this is probably a bit young for it to really sing. Great pairing with the basil and buffalo mozzarella- stuffed ravioli, though... — 5 days ago

with Vanessa

Mike Saviage

9.1

Off the La Balena wine list in Carmel. Nice bright reddish purple color. Translucent. Fruit forward nose. Notes of cherries, spice, some tree bark. Sweet and floral. Was ok with a pop and pour, but with more age and air I’m sure this would be even better. — 11 days ago