2016 Poggio Scalette "Il Carbonaione" Alta Valle della Greve

What a crazy nose of pure fruit, featuring pressed violets, lavender, dark plums, cherry compote, orange rind, lemon zest, boysenberries, vanilla, Thai basil and bay leaf. The fruit is so overt and generous, yet presented in an unimaginably sleek way, the firm tannins keeping it compact and silky throughout, while the tangy acidity cuts right through to the long, structured finish.

I followed the 2016 Il Carbonaione for three days and it only got better with air, its fruit gaining depth and richness, and its acidity becoming more integrated. However, it always offered ample upfront charm and grace as well as loads of pleasure. Possessing ripe cherries, strawberries, and even a hint of cassis in its fruit, it has lovely background notes of licorice, toasted spices, and blood orange. Medium-bodied and silky on the palate, it has a supple, seamless texture, nicely integrated acidity, and sweet tannins, all of which are beautifully balanced by the wines upfront fruit. This is an elegant yet also powerful expression of Sangiovese that has wonder depth and purity of fruit.