Can Tuscany rival Bordeaux The other two wines were the traditionally Sangiovese based wines from the region, including the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Strado al Sasso and the 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva. In both these wines, the ripe cherry flavor of Sangiovese came through, yet with more elegance and balance than the baked earth rusticity sometimes associated with less quality oriented producers.

Medium to dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of struck match and cherry cordial. In the mouth cherry fruit is backed with somewhat stiff tannins. Excellent acidity keeps the fruit bright and juicy, even as the tannins seem to have a darker earthier quality. Nothing wrong with this wine, if you're looking for a basic Chianti.

This is a rich and supple Chianti with ripe cherry and strawberry flavors and notes of licorice and cedar. The ripeness of the fruit is balanced with zesty acidity and dusty tannins. It’s sophisticated enough for a formal dinner with roasted or grilled red meats, but it won’t talk down to a sausage pizza.

This is a very food-friendly Chianti Classico that offers good fruit, a nice expression of cherry fruit, a bit of oak and complexity.

Sangiovese makes up most of this wine but there is some cabernet sauvignon and merlot to give it dimension. Rich mouthfeel and loads of cherry and plum flavors.

16.2/20 points Herbal notes, red fruits, minerality. Typical Chianti-red currants and cranberry, lively acidity and minerality. Elegant-yum! Drink now or age up to 8 years.

“Ataison ’02, pure Sangiovese, has clean, clear aromas of cherry and prune, slightly spiced. On the palate it is a little thin, with tannins which are a bit over present and an exuberant but pleasant acidity. “

Deep red, with black cherries, anise and cinnamon; smooth and rich; $20, Recommended

The first voice the entry-level bottling-from this estate owned by California's Jess Jackson is a Melot/Cabernet blend of graceful depth and sophistication. A super-bargain via international winemaker Pierre Seillan.

Rank Number 65 - 91 Points

Plummy and juicy with dense tannins and rich structure; complex and lifted, built to age for decades; 90% Merlot, 5% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc.

An unrestrained Super-Tuscan with a bold crescendo of ripe berry, toasted oak, tobacco and lavender flavors structured by firm tannin and mineral notes. Drink in 2-12 years.

The name primavoce refers to the leading voice in opera. There is a lot of power packed into this very reasonably priced wine. A red table wine from Tuscany that is a somewhat nontraditional blend of 57 percent merlot, 22 percent cabernet sauvignon, 13 percent sangiovese and 8 percent syrah. Vinified from fully ripe fruit that tastes of bold cassis and cherry flavors, and aged for 10 months in French oak. A pleasure to drink, this wine will pair well with heavier styled winter fare such as stews and meat/game dishes.

2003 ``Arcanum,'' by Tenuta di Arceno, Toscana (cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot): black raspberries and black plums; big, rich, generous and spicy with tart finish; $95.