Castello Vicchiomaggio – Ripa delle More 2012 – Toscana

Very dark colour; it has a deep ruby core, still showing some evolution as it has nothing blue or purple in there. The nose is very intense, with a certain complexity. I would say it’s quite on the traditional side because I get some spicy leathery notes in there, some gamey notes; but also delicious dark fruit like cassis, plum and dark cherry. Good grip on the palate here, good concentration, harmonious tannin; there’s a lot of extract there but very grainy, like chocolate powder, backing up that luscious cassis and dark cherry fruit. Very good length as well. There’s some finely roasted notes, but I think the oak is very well-integrated. Really good drinkability. I thoroughly enjoy this right now, for its youthful fruit and generosity. Obviously it has the concentration to go on for a very long time, but nice level of complexity, and I think a good combination of modern fruit, but still we have some of that leathery gamey spiciness. I really like this.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.