This is a seriously big and burly wine. Seven years old at this point, the dark black fruit, licorice, and violet notes have started to fade, though only slightly, to more leathery and savoury aromas. On the palate, the fruit dominates, while the tannins are grippy and the acidity is quite high. This one demands food, particularly steak or lamb. Was drawn to this as sangrantino typically comes in at the $35+ mark. Will be buying more of this as well as others at a much higher price. Damn fine, though be prepared for a wine that smacks you across the face. Tasted September 2013.

March 2015. Paired this with pasta with red meat sauce, nice match. Big Italian powerhouse. Licorice and dark fruit, with a long, smoky finish. This had legs to go another year or two yet, however it was drinking well now. Wish I had another bottle.

January 2016
December 1

This wine passes the 90 point test easily with it's structure, tannin/grape quality
and razor sharp dry finish. But it's way too young to be enjoyable now. The wine is too powerful with tannic grip and as a result the flavours are muted. As it loosens up, it will become a more lush and enjoyable wine. Don't drink now, wait another 3-5 years.

Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A wonderful & complex wine for under $20. Simply beautiful.

Positives: The wine features spiced oak, plum, dark cherry, fig, raspberry, blackberry, mulberry, leather, walnut, tobacco, cigar box, anise, cloves and cinnamon. Full body with dry tannins, good acidity, very long length and the alcohol is well intergraded and surprising since it’s 15.5%.

Negatives: At first you may experience some bitterness on the mid palate, but if you decant for 30 minutes to an hour it should dissipate.

Interesting Point: I describe this wine as a cross between a Napa Valley Cab and a very good Portuguese Douro Red.

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with aged steak.

Tasted: 28 Sept 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

very good