“Powerful black cherry, red berry and earthy floral notes with a succulent underbelly of plum sauce and cola spice. Incredibly youthful and fervent with fine-grained tannins and a salty finish.”

“Berry aromas with fresh herbs, such as lemon grass and basil, from the mostly whole-berry fermentation. Lots of fresh flowers, too. Medium body with a solid core of fruit and very fine tannins that are polished and beautifully curated. Lovely presence and harmony. So drinkable now, but even better in 2027.”

“This is really fine on the palate with wonderfully integrated tannins that give tension and focus. It’s medium-bodied with lovely berry, cherry, cedar and spice. Peaches and flower stems, too. Creamy texture. Extremely long and vivid. Structured, but showing beautiful drinkability with wonderful balance and form. One to drink or hold.”

Here's a new surprise from Castiglion del Bosco. Made with a selection of fruit from a 20-hectare vineyard with rich clay soils, the 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole is quite soft and silky from the start. The wine offers a delicate ensemble of wild berry, cherry, blue flower and white pepper. Pretty background tones of crushed limestone and iron ore give the wine a sense of place. In all, this is an elegant expression that underlines the true personality of young Sangiovese. I'd drink this wine over many of the heavier Brunellos out on the market today. Production is 25,000 bottles.

“This 2018 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino shows plenty of sophisticated and subtle oak with coffee, spice, cedar, and cream notes on the nose. On the palate it is a very firm, robust style with chewy tannins that linger on the finish. There is medium concentration in the middle of red cherry and tart cherry fruit. It is quite an assertive style, but it feels a little less concentrated in the middle than usual, but it is still very well put together. This estate in the northern part of the Montalcino DOCG is the passionate project of one of Italy’s famous fashion designers Massimo Ferragamo and a luxury hotel is part of the property.”