2007 Antinori Guado al Tasso

($102; a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot; 14.5% alcohol) Dark ruby. Complex nose offers lively aromas of cassis, dry herbs and tobacco, nicely complicated by vanilla and sexy oak. Lush and sweet on entry, but with extremely good definition and lift to the flavors of spicy blackberry, coffee, black pepper and mocha. The juicy, complex, extremely long finish features smooth, sweet tannins that expand with air. An extremely impressive wine that may not be as long-lived as some previous vintages, but is, for my money, the best Guado al Tasso ever. Very well done. Tanzer 95

The 2007 Guado al Tasso screams of Bolgheri. Sweet grilled herbs, mocha, spices and black cherry jam are woven into a generous, expansive frame. There is a wonderful sense of richness and warmth to the fruit that carries through to the round harmonious finish, where clean, minerally notes add freshness. This is simply gorgeous today, but it is young, and the oak needs to integrate. Still, it is impossible not to admire the 2007 Guado al Tasso. In 2007 Guado al Tasso is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The late ripening Cabernet Franc, used in place of Syrah for the first time in 2007, adds a measure of freshness that had often been missing in previous vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Wine Advocate 94