Wine Reviews

Dark fruit and chocolate, then damp soil, leaves and underbrush swirl together on the nose with a final smoky hint of campfire. Earth and heat remain on the palate, with more chocolaty and even nutty undertones, girded by solid but refined tannins.

A scented nose with dark cherries, spiced plums, baking spices, dried herbs and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Well-balanced and harmonious. Dense and focused yet ample and expansive. Lively finish with a peppery lift

A blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2018 Il Borgo is a renewed wine with this vintage. Past editions saw a blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role. This release is softer on the mid-palate with darkly extracted fruit. The wine reveals dark cherry, spice and hints of bittersweet chocolate that give it a very contemporary, accessible personality. Fruit is sourced from across 40 hectares of vine.

This is a very pretty, with currant, cherry and some mahogany and cigar-box character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with tight, linear tannins that are long and very intense. Polished nicely.

From the estates of Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari (with properties across Tuscany), the Tenute del Cabreo 2017 Il Borgo is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with a smaller part Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an oak-heavy wine with a robust texture that is woven tight with blackberry, spice, leather and tarry smoke. There is some sweet spice and cinnamon on the close, and the wine offers textured, open-knit tannins.