In terms of value, Sassoalloro is one of the most interesting wines in Italy. Here you have a major, cult-level super Tuscan available at a surprisingly reasonable price. Elegance and complexity come through in spades and so do fine aromas of red cherry, licorice and toasted almond. ——M.L.(10/1/2011)—— 92

Here’s a dark and sophisticated red wine (from the special Biondi-Santi clone of Sangiovese) with thick extraction and penetrating aromas of black fruit, spice, cola and Spanish cedar. There’s a ripe, slightly jammy or exotic quality to the fruit that would make this wine a good match to succulent cuts of beef. ——M.L.(3/1/2010)—— 90