Manetti's 2004 Flaccianello della Pieve (100% Sangiovese aged in 100% new oak) is simply stunning. Fresh and vibrant, it offers compelling aromatics and endless layers of fruit that develop in the glass, with superb length on the palate and gorgeous overall balance. Although it is still holding back much today, make no mistake about it, Flaccianello is one of Italy's blue-chip wines and the 2004 is a profound vintage for this wine. In order to enjoy its full range of expression readers will have to wait at least another five years after which it will provide memorable drinking to age 25, perhaps longer. A recent bottle of the 1982 was still full of life when tasted a few months ago. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907

Gorgeous aromas of blackberry, light toasty oak, cream and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate, with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Wonderful. Sangiovese. Best after 2010. 4,000 cases made. -JS

Here’s a standout Sangiovese-based super Tuscan with a very unique peppermint-like characteristic that helps to increase the wine’s intensity and delicious overall effect. Beyond that layer of fresh mint are softer aromas of earth, white mineral, talc powder, pencil lead, cherry and spice. The wine has a strong mineral component.——M.L.(5/1/2008)—— 92