(2021) A Chianti Classico that is made from hand-harvested Sangiovese, 30% of which is aged in barriques, the rest in large oak casks for 18 months. Solid, sweet plum flesh and cherry on the nose, a nice touch of background tobacco spice, a little lick of vanilla too. In the mouth the fruit is sweet and ripe, more cherry and blackcurrant, but savoury and firm. Some dried blood and gravelly character gives grip. Quite dry tannins here, a touch rustic and it's bright edge of acidity makes this savoury, quite chewy, but satisfying. No UK stockist at time of review.
(2021) The name of this wine translates to 'Stony Hill', the grapes coming from the rockiest slopes on the Banfi estate in Tuscany. Currants and fresh red berries on the nose, little oak influence if any, just a touch of dusty green olive from the Cabernet component. Plenty of cherry-ripe sweetness on the palate, blackberries too, combining some fruit depth with fresher, lightly herbal notes. Plenty of creamy sweetness here with a sour tang of orange to the acidity.
(2021) Surprisingly developed in colour, this is 100% Sangiovese, and offers warming scents of brick, autumnal drying leaves and bramble fruit along with some spices. The palate is gentle and unruffled, good mature fruit and unobtrusive tannins. Acidity is cherryish and balances nicely.
(2021) Morellino di Scansano is an appellation towards the coast of Tuscany, making wines from the great grape of the region, Sangiovese. This oak-aged example has rich berry fruit on the nose, quite a subtle sheen of vanilla which is attractive, and hints of the cherry fragrance so often found in Sangiovese. In the mouth this is medium-bodied, with a creamy but elegant weight of fruit, smoothed and rounded tannins and good balancing acidity. Highly drinkable this.
(2021) Banfi's Rosso is aged for around 12 months, partly in French oak barriques and partly in large Slavonian oak casks. The nose is vinous and dark, but reveals very little about the wine initially. In the mouth it is powerful and savoury, edged with bitter cherry and with a plummy character, the tannins are quite finely grained but grippy, and the classic Italianate bite of the acidity joins the finish. This could be cellared for a few years or decanted if opening now perhaps. Note Majestic may be stocking the 2019 in some stores, but their 'mix six' price is a sharp £16.99. Watch the video review for more information.
(2020) From vineyards in Castellina in Chianti Classico, this is mostly Sangiovese with 5% Colorino. It has classic Chianti aromas, sour dark cherry and firm plums, with hints of smoke and spice, and a definnite cedary character. In the mouth it is a firm style of wine: tannins quite grippy and lots of tart black cherry acidity, but it fleshes out on the mid-palate. The dark fruits are savoury and spicy, and it finishes with good balance.
(2019) A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this is a perfumed and very pleasing red, a touch of herbs and graphite, the ripeness of black Cabernet fruit, and the tangy vibrancy of Sangiovese cherries all present and correct. In the mouth there is a sweet and creamy edge to this, substantial but with a creamy softness to the tannins and acidity that give it enough structure while leaving it pizza and spag-bol friendly.
(2018) Though labelled as an IGT Toscana, most of the grapes for this Sangiovese come from Romitorio's own vineyards in the Scansano region of the coastal Maremma. Its a big, warm-hearted Sangiovese that opens with lightly herbaceous notes of earth and twigs, that briary character joined by sweet plum and cherry fruit. In the mouth it is firm and dry, the tannins giving lots of grip, keen cherry-pit dry acidity too adding to the savoury, food-friendly appeal. If it sees oak it must only be in older, larger barrels, as this maintains an edge of sappy freshness and core of fruit through to a dry, nutty finish. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas, and note that Daily Drinker club members can buy this wine for £11.70
(2018) Less heralded than Chianti, Montepulciano is another fine Tuscan region making wines from the same grape, Sangiovese. Aged 24 months in Slavonian oak, this also has a small proportion of Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo in the blend. The oak is toasty and cappuccino-like, with red fruits and tobacco spice. In the mouth the tight framework of tannin and cherry-pit acidity really pulls this together, the more expansive dark fruit and barrel components sliced through with spicy structure to give this a lively feel in the mouth.
(2018) Piombaia's Rosso is 100% Sangiovese Grosso, and like all Rosso di Montalcino's thought of as the 'baby brother' of the Brunello, intended for earlier drinking. The ruby coloured wine offers aromas of strawberry, cherry and red plum, very much in that red fruit spectrum, a nice tobacco spice in the background, a touch of pencil-shaving cedar too. In the mouth this is fresh and very appealing: a brisk, alert character with that bitter twist of cherry pits and skins against the savoury fruit, and very delicious too.
