Taurasi 'Cinque Querce"

Score

94+

"The 2017 Taurasi Vigna Cinque Querce delivers explosive aromatics of crushed stone, dried herbs, spiced blood orange, cedar shavings and dusty currants. The palate is weighty and nearly velvety in feel with depths of tart red and black fruits underscored by crunchy mineral tones. Hints of dark chocolate resonate over a bed of fine-grained tannins as the 2017 finishes structured and dramatically long, with a bitter tinge of licorice that simply won™t quit. While almost painful to taste today, I expect the 2017 to improve significantly with maturity."

Score

95

"The 2015 Taurasi Cinque Querce dazzles with a vivid blend of rum-soaked currants dusted with cocoa and sweet sage. It,s deeply textural, with masses of ripe black fruits complicated by savory herbs, as rosy inner florals form toward the close. The 2015 finishes incredibly long yet structured, with edgy tannins that collect around the perimeter of the palate. Salted licorice tones linger. What a beauty. The 2015 vintage marks a return to form for the Taurasi Cinque Querce. Lose this deep in the cellar."

Score

93

"Suave and harmonious, with a firm frame of fine-grained tannins married to ripe black and red currant fruit, iron and ash, anise, black tea leaf and citrus peel notes. This expands on the palate and through the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2035. ‡A.N."

Score

92

Score

95

Score

92

"More than a wine, the 2007 Taurasi Riserva Vigna Cinque Querce is an experience. Dig your nose deep into the glass, and you feel as if you are absorbing the aromas from a fistful of moist volcanic earth. Dark fruit, cola, mineral tones, blackberry, spice, licorice, tar and candied chestnut all lift from the beautifully intricate bouquet. The complexity here is truly outstanding and the wine evolves slowly with each additional minute in the glass. It boasts a super smooth texture, with enormous richness and persistency. This is an outstanding achievement that should continue its slow evolution in the bottle."

Score

91

Score

91

Score

96

"The 2016 Taurasi Cinque Querce wafts up with an earthy bouquet as underbrush and hints of tobacco give way to crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is velvety-smooth with vibrant acidity to balance as an elegant wave of dark red fruits slowly saturates toward the close. The 2016 finishes structured and remarkably long, staining the palate with primary concentration and a web of fine-grained tannins. This is a truly harmonious Taurasi Cinque Querce that no fan of Molettieri should be without."

Score

95

Score

95

"A fully flared Taurasi, brimming with volcanic fire and brimstone. This said, the mid-palate to finish is a rocky road of compression and release, needing time to unfurl. This augurs for a bright future despite the morass and energy being a little inscrutable. Such is the tension. Shins and elbows. Pithy black cherry, licorice strap, sooty black rock, tobacco and exotic spice, from cardamon, clove, turmeric and curry leaf. A wonderful wine in the making. Drinkable now, but best from 2026."

Score

94+

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

Score

93

Score

93

"Harmonious and finely detailed, this offers flavors of black plum reduction, dried fig and wild sage and thyme, with a savory underpinning of minerally iron and spices. Fluid and supple on the palate, showing a fine intersection of power and grace. Long, fresh finish. Drink now through 2036. 950 cases made."

Score

93

Score

93

Score

92

Score

92

Score

92

Score

92

Score

91

Score

90

Score

3

"3B"