Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:  Rated as Outstanding.  "Deep red. Lovely red fruit aromas show above average depth and complexity for this category of wine, with pretty floral and vanilla nuances adding appeal. The ripe and very pure flavors of redcurrant, red cherry and cranberry are utterly captivating, with lively acidity and polished tannins giving the wine shape and structure. Finishes with lingering violet and marzipan note. This is like putting your nose into a bowl of mixed ripe red fruits; I really found it hard to put the glass down. This may be the best young Barco Reale (the younger, lighter-styled wine of the Carmignano category) that I have ever tasted." Jul/Aug 2010

Winery:   "A textbook Tuscan offering revealing notions of saddle leather, forward cherry fruit, smoke, herbs, and earth. Robust-bodied with tangible acidity, this easy-drinking wine is best consumed over the next 2-3 years."

Wired For Wine:   If Ian D'Agata, reviewer for International Wine Cellar, found it hard to put the glass down, who are we to argue?  At this price, this Fattoria Ambra Barco Reale di Carmignano is a steal, and you can hold onto your glass as long as you like!   Portion out your first bottle generously and savor it with crostini of mushrooms, prosciutto and blue cheese.  Come può essere così buono?  The "utterly captivating" array of flavors from rich red fruit, to perky acidity, smooth tannins and smoky, earthy, herbal nuances give this Sangiovese blend the ability to caress everything from meats, steaks, cheeses, to simple pastas and mushrooms.  Che cosa si brama?  Our favorite comfort food choice is pot roast with caramelized onions and roasted asparagus, especially now that the green spears are in season...  To bring out the lovely fruit side of this Barco Reale, we like grilled veal chops with a sherry gastrique and a sweet-sour peperonata.  A good make-ahead option for a crowd is a sausage/mushroom lasagna.  Hopefully you've had a second and third bottle waiting in the wings during the meal.  Trot them out and refill the glasses to go with a tremendously satisfying Italian Pecorino Foglie di Noce.  Because it is wrapped in walnut leaves, and rubbed daily with olive oil, this cheese has the most delectable hint of black walnut, which is perfetto for the earth in this Fattoria Ambra.  Time to see if this is the "best Barco Reale" out there, winelovers...

Size:  750ml, cork
Varietal:   75% Sangiovese, 10% Uva Francesca (Cabernet), 10% Canaiolo nero, 5% Colorino and Merlot
Alcohol:  13.5%
Ageing:    80% in concrete tanks and 20% for 6-8 months in tonneaux.
Region:   Carmignano, Tuscany, Italy