This is an extremely precious wine, with only 1,000 375-milliliter bottles made. The Fontodi 2010 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a wine of rare beauty and intensity. I am a huge fan of Vin Santo and tend to rate these Tuscan dessert wines very highly. I just love the wine's storied history and the deep ties it shares with Tuscan culture and tradition. This example is syrupy and rich with glycerin. The blend is equal parts Sangiovese and Malvasia, and there is a hint of ruby polish inside its amber hues, just like you might see on the husk of a polished chestnut. The bouquet offers toasted spice and candied fruit with maple syrup, brown sugar and crème br?lée. Ultimately, the wine is almost more savory than it is sweet and fruity. Fresh acidity adds brightness. This little bottle from Tuscany, much like the others made by the most passionate producers, is a little work of art.

The 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (packaged in a 375-milliliter bottle) is an object of profound beauty. This extremely precious dessert wine pours from the bottle with thick and slow-moving waves of glycerin and sweetened richness. In fact, my fingers are sticking to my keyboard as I write this review. Aged in small caratelli barrels for 84 months, this Vin Santo shows a dark amber color with polished copper highlights. The bouquet is profoundly complex with dried fruit aromas of apricot and pineapple followed by brown sugar, maple syrup, toasted chestnut and savory tobacco. This is a full-bodied dessert wine that spreads over the palate with lasting intensity. In fact, you taste the wine in the mouth for many long minutes after you drink it. A mere 2,500 bottles exist.

Here is yet another excellent wine from Fontodi. The 2007 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (375 ml) is 50% Malvasia and 50% Sangiovese aged in small oak caratelli for 84 months. This is a broad brush-stroke wine with thick lines of glycerin and lazy movements in the glass. The appearance is beautiful with deep amber intensity and polished copper highlights. The bouquet is rich and intense with caramel, honey and candied fruit. Only 1,500 precious bottles were produced. It's hard to assign a drinking window to such an indestructible dessert wine.

Pungent aromas and flavors of dried fig, date, molasses and brown butter are the hallmarks of this concentrated yet ethereal dessert wine. Bracing acidity keeps this fresh and defined, while the aftertaste evokes salted caramel, lemon and cinnamon elements. Drink now through 2020. 125 cases made, 40 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Select to Add

A fruity dessert style, boasting strawberry, cherry, honey, spice and mineral flavors. Thick and slightly cloying, with honey and caramel on the finish. Made from red grapes. Drink now through 2017. 250 cases made, 75 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Select to Add