Another surprise hit from central Italy with bright, vibrant color, modern-style concentration and lush notes of roasted coffee, mocha, plum, black cherry and cedar wood (thanks to 14 months of oak aging). It’s equally big and bold in the mouth with chewy tannins and a robust, meaty quality. This is a wine worth looking out for. ——M.L.(2/1/2007)—— 89

The 2001 Luna Nuova, a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend, deep in color and spicy and sweet on the nose with plenty of berry fruit, offers plenty of focus, length, and solidity on the palate, with only a slight loss of momentum on the finish to prevent the score from going even higher. Drink: now-2012. An estate to watch, particularly considering that the vineyards are mostly still quite young. No known American importer.