(2019) After heavy spring rains the summer was almost ideal, with dry days and significant day-night temperature differentials to ensure balanced, concentrated berries. The Sangiovese and Merlot was harvested with a low yield of 28 hl/ha, and ageing once again for 24 months in 85% new French oak barriques. Back slightly more onto the firm, taut, precise black fruit style, sveltee and glossy with a slightly balsamic note too, and though juicy and with that tangy sour cherry to the acids, just a little less giving than the 2014.
(2019) First released in 2003, 2013 brought a rainy spring and early summer, but followed by a hot, but not extreme, summer providing ideal ripening conditions. 100% Sangiovese harvested at 34 hl/ha, the wine spent 24 months in Slavonian oak barriques, only 10% of which were new. Perfumed and lifted compared to the Luce, tobacco and spices dominating the sappy cherry. More sour acidity here, proper Italianate acidity, draped with the red and black fruits into a long, spicy finish.
(2019) Lovely high, slightly medicinal notes, with similar floral lift and taut ripe cherry skins to the 2004. Some chestnut and tight ash and powdery tannins, so talcum-fine with great length and balance. Meaty but floral. These wines really do run the gamut of flavour and aroma.
(2019) A more mineral edge to this than the 2009, a little keener, some herbal and floral nuances. An easier vintage with easier conditions according to Mauro Soldera, with a hot summer, some rain in August, but autumn came good. It has that blood-streaked meatiness again, but a firmess here that is set against an intensely sweet core of fruit and depth of plummy, creamy structure.
(2019) This wine spent 70 months in barrel, and is 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Fabulous blood-streaked nose, chestnut and game, spices and just very soulful. Smooth as silk on the palate there are notes of leather and tobacco, beautifully ripe and creamy sweet fruit, the tang of cherry, but it's the direct focus and purity, a touch of orangey juiciness. From quite a difficult vintage according to Mauro. Offered in bond in cases of six, price quoted is per bottle, duty paid, equivalent.
(2012) Beautiful nose of cedar and fine cinnamon spices over very pure, fresh black berries. There is a little gamy development, but the spicy fruit comes through so powerfully. The palate has a dusty blue-black weight of fruit, good ripeness and a real sense of juiciness. Delicious stuff.
(2012) Gorgeously smoky, earthy and elegant nose, with exotic sandalwood spices too, but the cassis and blackcurrant freshness powers through in this young wine. Alluring perfume, leading on to a bold, balanced palate, with a chewy streak of tannin and acidity joining still slightly raw oak at this stage. Fantastic freshness and richness, this already delicious but needing a few years to totally integrate.
(2012) Much deeper, more earthy and more animal than the Solaia, with coffee and plum depth and a truffle and game allure. Seems really quite mature on the nose, and leading to a rich, velvet-textured and powerful palate. The sweet fruit is powerful and concentrated, with a big tannic framework.