Monica Larner

Reviews from Monica Larner.

Italian Editor Monica Larner reviews Italian wines for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and has lived in Italy on-and-off since age 11…

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• • 98
  • $102

  Marchesi Antinori 2008 Guado al Tasso Red Blend (Bolgheri Superiore)

  1. Appellation: Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  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.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 98
• • 97
  • $220

  Tenuta San Guido 2008 Sassicaia Red Blend (Bolgheri Sassicaia)

  1. Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  Recently implemented winemaker and cellar changes make this one of the best Sassicaias ever. This Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend delivers thick concentration and sun-kissed aromas of black fruit, prune, dried bay leaf, black olive and tobacco. The thick, fertile soils that characterize the magical strip of coastal Tuscany at Bol-gheri help shape amazing richness and intensity.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 97
• • 97
  • $215

  Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2008 Ornellaia Red Blend (Bolgheri Superiore)

  1. Appellation: Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  The 2008 Ornellaia delivers concentrated aromas of forest fruit, raspberry and black cherry. There are beautiful elements of soft spice and chocolate at the back and the wine ends with soft, plush tannins and smooth, berry-rich flavors.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 97
• • 96

  Tenuta Argentiera 2008 Argentiera Red Blend (Bolgheri Superiore)

  1. Appellation: Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  Here’s a beautifully chocolaty and rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with plush layers of sweet cherry, Indian spice, tobacco and espresso. The wine is amazingly rich and long lasting, with silky, supple tannins at the very end. Keep it in your cellar 10 years or more, or drink it now.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 96
• • 95
  • $175

  Monteverro 2008 Red Blend (Toscana)

  1. Appellation: Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  This represents a debut vintage from a brand new estate in a little-known corner of southern Tuscany made with consultant Michel Rolland. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot and the results are savory and delicious, with lingering tones of blackberry, rum cake, spice and leather.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95
  • $80

  Tua Rita 2008 Giusto di Notri Red Blend (Toscana)

  1. Appellation: Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  This fabulous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers loads of plush softness and succulent richness. Aromas of chocolate, ripe fruit and spice are distinct and clear, and the wine shows compelling complexity and intensity overall.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95
  • $40

  Aia Vecchia 2008 Sorugo Red Blend (Bolgheri Superiore)

  1. Appellation: Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  Amazing plushness and richness characterizes this impressive offering from Aia Vecchia. It’s hard to match the beauty of this wine, which expresses itself as dark chocolate, cherry liqueur, black licorice, cigar box and dark spice. Soft, plush, super-rich tannins characterize the mouthfeel.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95

  Le Macchiole 2008 Paleo Cabernet Franc (Toscana)

  1. Appellation: Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Franc

  Paleo is a landmark Italian expression of Cabernet Franc that is not at all bashful in terms of fullness and richness. Bold fruit and black cherry aromas have been soften by careful oak tones of spice and leather. Structured, firm but also velvety in texture, this wine needs more years to evolve.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 94
  • $70

  Mazzei 2008 Tenuta Belguardo Red Blend (Maremma)

  1. Appellation: Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  Tenuta Belguardo is one of the best wines from Maremma in southern Tuscany. It shows intense aromas of black cherry, chocolate, tobacco and spice. In the mouth, it’s soft, supple, silky and shows great length.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 94
• • 94
  • $130

  Monteverro 2008 Tinata Red Blend (Toscana)

  1. Appellation: Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Red Blend

  Tinata is a sultry blend of Syrah and Grenache, a Rhône-style blend unlike any other wine in the area. These grapes seem perfectly adapted to the little-known region of Capalbio in the southern part of Tuscany and deliver intense aromas of blackberry, leather, chocolate and cured meat. It’s plush, rich and extremely long-lasting.  — M.L.  (2/1/2012)  — 94