Sangiovese

This is 100% Sangiovese grape from Tuscany grown near Sienna.  It is unclear why this is not labelled as Chianti (though it probably could be), but no matter, this is very enjoyable.  Delicious and punches way above its weight class.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has bold cherry fruit with some tea leaves and a touch of wintergreen.  On the palate, the cherries come thru with a bit of spice.  Firm tannins.  Black licorice on the finish.  This is drinking well now but will certainly mature and possibly improve.  It drinks well on its own, but wines like this are m

Wow.  This was a first time trying this wine and it is excellent.  ColleMassari is the largest estate of the Montecucco appellation in central Tuscany.  This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 10% Ciliegiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine spends 18 months ageing in oak barrels and barrique then 12 months in bottle.  Tasted over two nights, it was even better on night 2.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, cherries, and a bit of pepper and spice.  Initially, there is also some mint on the nose, but

From the Montecucco DOC in Tuscany.  La Pianore is a certified organic farm with a zero carbon footprint situated in a nature refuge.  The wine is a blend of Sangiovese (at least 60%) and Merlot aged in 25% Wood and 75% Stainless for six months and then another six months in bottle before being release.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherry fruit, hay and salinity.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has an interesting rustic quality.  Light tannins.  Flavors of cherries and slight orange peel.  A bit of a bitter almond on the finish.  There is s

From the little known Montecucco Songiovese DOCG in Tuscany, this wine really showed well.  Served to some friends, everyone agreed that this was really very nice.   This wine is aged for two years in French oak barriques, and a minimum of another six months in the bottle.  This is 100% Sangiovese.  I believe the 2015 is the current release.  If served blind, I would have guessed Brunello.  Ruby in color, with just a hint of browning, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, allspice, and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  Serious tannins that resolved slightly with air.  On the

Great showing for this.  In a really nice place right now.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice, dust and tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Great acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit with forest floor underneath.  Long finish.  This is delicious but also has plenty of complexity.  It is pretty close to peak but should provide another ten to twelve years of great drinking.  A nice match with pasta with a meat based tomato sauce.  

Drinking well at age 17.  Pop and pour.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight black cherries, and some wet tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Cherries and black cherries over forest floor with some roasted herbs.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Pretty much at peak.  This drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  A nice match would be Rosticciana (Tuscan pork ribs with rosemary).  

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with nice cherries.  Some forest floor.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  Long finish with some anise notes.  Drinking well but will improve from here.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  A nice wine with Pappa al pomodoro (a tomato bread soup).  

Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is cherry cough syrup with some anise, in a good way.  On the palate, this is tannice.  Full bodied with good acidity.  Cherry and black cherry fruit with underlying acidity.  Nice finish.  This could use a few more years of cellaring then be good for another eight to twelve after that.  A nice match would be Malfatti which is a kind of Sienna Spinach Gnocchi.  

Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, spice and tea leaves.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice cherry fruit with some underlying forest floor.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  It does seem tight and in need of more cellar time.  Hold for another three to five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  Plenty of upside with proper cellaring on this.  A nice match would be a stew like the Tuscan favorite Spezzatino.

Deep garnet in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is interesting with iodine, black olives, rosemary and also a nice amount of fresh cherries.  On the palate, this is a bit thinner and lighter in testure.  Nice fresah cherry fruit.  Some black cherries.  Drinking well now.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This will make nice drinking over the next five to seven years.  This would be a nice wine to work in with the classic Panzanella Bread salad from Tuscany.