The aromas of dark berries, violets and perfume are enchanting. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and so elegant and they run the length of the wine. They are rather endless. Very classy and balanced. A merlot and sangiovese blend. Give this a year or two, but it’s already a joy to drink. Drink or hold.

The Mazzei 2022 Siepi marks this wine's 30th anniversary. I have a special connection to this wine, as I was present when some of the final blending options (with fruit from various parcels within the greater Siepi vineyard) were being decided. My personal preference was for the interpretation that showed the brightest fruit and the most energy. Those qualities are transferred over to this bottle, and I do agree that this celebratory vintage offers an excellent opportunity to tweak the winemaking of this historic blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This warm vintage offers plenty of primary fruit with bold cherry as the protagonist. Softer tones of blue flower and grilled rosemary appear at the back. However, the oak spice and cinnamon need time to integrate. The results put the 2022 vintage on par with classic years such as 2021 and 2019. (ML)

The 2022 Siepi is a supremely elegant, polished wine. Even so, it has shut down significantly since I tasted it just prior to bottling, likely a reflection of the decision to use a selection of more vibrant Sangioveses for the blend in this vintage. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and licorice build nicely with a bit of coaxing. Over the last few years, the Mazzei family has gradually given their wines a touch more focus and energy, qualities that come through loud and clear here. (EG)