This large Tuscan firm owns some 800 ha of vineyards, but despite its large size I was deeply impressed by this line up of wines, which was universally of a very high standard. And I was taken by surprise a bit: I wasn't expecting these wines to be this good! They range from the more-traditional-styled Nippozano and Montesodi, to the more modern Luce, Lucente and Lamaione. Something for everyone.

Nippozano Riserva DOCG Chinati Rufina 1997
Lovely stuff: ripe and complex. Sweet herby nose is open and exotic. Herby, leathery, Cherry-laced palate with sweet fruit, and great balance and concentration. Very good/excellent (Postscript: I bought a couple of these from Oddbins, and when tasted at home I rated them just as very good+; they were a bit closed. Having said this, the Oddbins store in question does get very warm in the summer, so these might have been heat affected. Bottle variation or palate variation? It's a complex business.)

Montesodi DOCG Chianti Rufina 1997
Lovely dusty, spicy herby nose. Dry tannins and dusty complexity on the palate; ripe and lovely. Very good/excellent

Momoreto IGT Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
A single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep red/black colour with a lovely spicy blackcurrant nose. Rich powerful palate with ripe black fruit: spicy and rich. Delicious stuff. Very good/excellent

Castelgiocondo DOCG Brunello di Montalcino 1995
A Sangiovese from a single estate, this is a real stunner. Lovely nose of smoke and tarry fruit. Quite special. Ripe, spicy and tannic on the palate, with warm, rich flavours. Excellent (Oddbins stock this at £18.99)

Lucente 1997
80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, from the Castelgiocondo estate. A second wine to Luce. A concentrated red/purple colour this is a youthful wine, with notes of cherries, herbs and tar dominating the nose. Firm and tannic on the palate, this needs some time. Very good+

Luce 1997
A much-hyped venture with Mondavi, this is mostly Sangiovese from the Castelgiocondo estate. Deep red/purple in colour, with a lovely open nose of herby, sweet fruit and smoke. The palate displays complex ripe fruit and firm tannins; it's a very impressive wine with great potential, and perhaps worth a bit of hype. Excellent.