2011 Wine from Italy

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a direct and powerful wine from a hot vintage. Dark fruit aromas segue to candied cherry, moist pipe tobacco, balsam herb and dark granite stone. In the mouth, this is a...

Vinous, 94 points: A huge, thrilling wine, the 2011 Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Bricco Battista is endowed with magnificent depth and tons of personality. Layers of intense Barbera fruit burst from the glass in a racy, opulent wine...

jamessuckling.com, 98 points: A deep and beautiful red with ripe berry, plum and orange peel character. Almost exotic in style. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a caressing texture. Goes on for minutes. So beautiful now but will be event better in...

jamessuckling.com, 92 points: A wine with lots of dried-fruit, spice, berry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full body with round, velvety tannins. Rich finish. Lots of new-wood character but will come together nicely. A small producer to follow...

Decanter, 96 points: Italy’s best winemaker? Gorgeously pure red rose and sour red cherry notes. Last vintage ever of this wine by Giacosa (the lease on the Santo Stefano vineyard runs out).

Wine Spectator, 90 points: Traditional in style and elegant, this is aromatic, with dried herb and floral notes, accented by graphite and spice. A balanced red, expressive without excessive weight. The fine-grained tannins are layered with flavors...

jamessuckling.com, 96 points: A dense and velvety red with lots of chocolate, berry and spice character. Hints of mushroom too. Full body. Chewy and rich finish. Needs four to five years to soften. Great richness. Wonderful Cannubi.

Vinous, 96 points: Blackberry jam, cassis, grilled herbs and melted road tar meld together in the 2011 Solaia. Another super-exotic, racy 2011 from Antinori, Solaia is supremely beautiful. Mocha, espresso and sage are some of the many notes...

jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Perfumed and aromatic with cream, lemon-cream and flowers. Medium to full body, a lovely creamy texture and a long, flavorful finish. Six years on the yeast. Really beautiful and refined.

Wine Spectator, 95 points: Concentrated and intense, with macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, augmented by tobacco, iron and leather notes. Builds to a complex aftertaste of fruit, vegetal elements, mineral and spice. Terrific length. Best from...

jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is wonderfully succulent and refined with blueberry, lavender and sandalwood aromas and flavors. Botanical, with some junipers. Medium body, integrated tannins and a long finish. Very pretty. Polished tannins. The...

jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is wonderfully succulent and refined with blueberry, lavender and sandalwood aromas and flavors. Botanical, with some junipers. Medium body, integrated tannins and a long finish. Very pretty. Polished tannins. The...

Vinous, 97 points: (94-97 points) A total pleasure bomb, Poggio di Sotto's 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva races across the palate with layers of intense, perfumed fruit and striking aromatics. Macerated dark cherry, spice, menthol and...

Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: From one of the most celebrated vineyards in the entire Barolo denomination, this gorgeous wine boasts captivating aromas of new leather, underbrush, ripe berry, tobacco, a whiff of tilled soil and a balsamic note...