The 2008 Villa Antinori comes across as richer, darker and weightier than the 2007 tasted alongside it. Black cherries, smoke, licorice and tar are some of the notes that emerge from this powerful entry-level red. A long, intense finish rounds things out nicely. Villa Antinori is predominantly Sangiovese, with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. Antinori seems to do everything well these days, from churning out millions of bottles of supermarket wines all the way to turning out superb versions of their many flagship bottlings. This is another impressive set of new releases with a number of highlights. Over the years oenologist Renzo Cotarella has moved away from the super-late harvests of the late 1990s/early 2000s in favor of picking slightly earlier, a decision that has paid off handsomely, especially over the last few years. Antinori’s 2008s, from a vintage that is quite inconsistent across the board, are superb. I remember spending a few days near the estate’s Tignanello and Badia a Passignano estates in mid-August 2008. The days were very hot, but the nights were so cool that a sweater or light jacket was a necessity Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA, tel. (425) 415-3738