An expressive nose, pure and concentrated fruit, peach and stone fruit character. Broad, minerally, textured but with a very fine, stony, linear precision. This has beautiful substance, good acidity, and a great, textured balance. A fine composition with an appealing length.

Shows loads of strawberry jam on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of ripe fruit and oak. Slightly mouthpuckering. Needs time to come around. 92 Points Wine Spectator

Medium red-ruby, not as bright as the Proprietary Red. Musky dark cherry and graphite aromas are perked up by pepper and herbs. Offers a creamy texture to its sweet berry flavors, but an edge of acidity and a strong oak element currently cut off the wine's fruit. Shows less dimension than the Proprietary Red, which comes across as riper. Finishes with slightly tough tannins. 88 Points Stephen Tanzer

Smells like Burgundy, with floral, cherry, woodsy and graphite aromas and flavors. Sweet and silky, underscored by firm, integrated tannins. Distinctive and delicious. Best from 2013 through 2022. 91 Points Wine Spectator

The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is a richer, deeper wine than the straight Brunello. The Montosoli presents a beautiful center of dark fruit, along with suggestions of grilled herbs, high-toned flowers, leather and licorice that add complexity. Despite the wine's richness, the tannins are still a bit prominent, and need a few more years in bottle to soften. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 92+ Points Wine Advocate

The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is a pretty, supple wine with sweet red fruit and an accessible personality. The heat of the vintage is felt in the sweet notes of fruit and oak that linger on the finish. Ideally the oak could be a little more integrated and the tannins might be more finessed, but this is a nicely poised effort from Altesino. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. 89 Points Wine Advocate

Here’s a “wow” wine on every level, with incredible intensity and supple softness that builds momentum over many long minutes. A sweet cherry note at the core is surrounded by lush layers of tobacco, dark chocolate and spice, which promise to evolve gracefully over years to come. 98 Points Wine Enthusiast

Antinori’s Tignanello is wonderfully ripe and seductive in its dark cherries, flowers, spices, tobacco, sage, cedar, mint and minerals. This is as opulent a Tignanello as I have ever tasted but there is just enough acidity and structure from the Sangiovese to keep things from going over the top. The dense, muscular fruit follows through to an impeccable finish with no hard edges and impossibly fine, silky tannins.

Armand de Brignac is marvelously complex and full-bodied, with a bouquet that is both fresh and lively. Its sumptuous, racy fruit character is perfectly integrated with the wine's subtle brioche accents. Its texture is deliciously creamy and the palate has great depth and impact with a long and silky finish. A superb and singular example of a Prestige Champagne.

Complex aromas of blackberry, violet and red licorice. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. All in finesse. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2011 through 2016. 92 Points Wine Spectator

Bright, round and juicy. A gorgeous mouthful of cherry, blackberry and floral flavors, lingering on the finish with a touch of dark espresso to add interest. The tannins are polished, and the wine has a keen sense of balance, grace and harmony. Drink now through 2015. 94 Points Wine Spectator