Wine Reviews

Brooding yet supple, this red is ripe, offering plum, fruitcake, black pepper, iron and underbrush flavors. The finish exerts a well of dusty tannins, leaving a compact feel.

This is tightly packed, with a coarse weave of tannins focusing its plum, cherry, earth and tobacco notes. Lively on the finish, if cut a bit short by the astringent feel. Needs time.

Warm earth greets the nose at first, then gives way to bing cherries, orange zest, licorice candy and just a momentary hint of vanilla. Cherries that still have snap in their skin and bitter orange jam on the palate, then dark chocolate and spices, before the metallic tang of coffee corrected by Sambuca on the finish. Tannins and acid are like perfect valets—almost invisible but immediately there when called upon.

At 15% alcohol, the 2020 is more about forward fruit and textural intensity than varietal character. Hopefully, the new Valdarno di Sopra DOC will be an impetus for producers to make wines that speak more of place. Certainly, the potential for that to happen is there.

The earthy decadence of cherry, bark and meat aromas and flavors are fascinating, with a depth of fruit and creamy tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a flavor finish and a juicy and polished texture. Shows tension as well. Old vines planted in 1935. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.