Grand Cru Wine Merchants

The 2008 Rosso di Montalcino opens with knockout aromatics that boast incredible purity. This is a texturally brilliant wine laced with exquisite wild cherries, mint, flowers and sweet herbs. There is an element of unrestrained wildness that may take readers used to more technical wines by surprise, but the Rosso finds its center beautifully in the glass. This is a totally sexy Rosso of the highest level. Readers who want to understand what makes Montalcino such a special place – but without spending a fortune – should start here. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. -93pts WA (AG) 

Pian dell’Orino is one of the most exciting, dynamic wineries in Montalcino. Proprietors Caroline Pobitzer and Jan Erbach have turned out two utterly fabulous wines that readers will not want to miss. The estate pursues biodynamic farming in the vineyards. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, macerations are long and cask aging is the rule. The wines are bottled with no fining or filtration.