Wow, there is a very impressive freshness here that defies the heat of this vintage. The 2017 Saffredi does not seem like a 2017 at all. Now celebrating its 30th birthday, Saffredi is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Thanks to the vineyard's proximity to the sea, leaving leaves on the vines and the sharp diurnal shifts...

The 2015 Palafreno is one of the more understated Tuscan Merlots readers will come across. This site, in the Ruffoli district of Greve, at 400 meters above sea level, yields a distinctly savory, nuanced Merlot that emphasizes energy and nuance over power, all of which make it a truly special and distinctive wine.94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The 2016 Syrah is a dense, potent wine. Wild cherry, game, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and coffee are front and center. This is an especially rich style. Then, again we are in Maremma. The 2016 is a bit wild, but in the best sense of the term. It will offer its finest drinking alongside similarly hearty cuisine.95 points, Antonio Galloni,...

Le Difese offers a taste of the estate behind Sassicaia immediately on release. The name is a local term for the tusks of a wild boar. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the wine offers bright, crunchy red cherries and damson, with a herbal lift of fennel and tea leaves and a hint of bonfire woodsmoke. The 2017 vintage...