2009 Caiarossa

Blend of biodynamically farmed 25% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 19% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah and 3% Alicante. Very wet April and relatively stormy, hot summer. Cooler September. Harvest began unusually early at the end of August. On the cusp of crimson and ruby and still quite dark. Light dustiness on the nose. Fresher and more precise than the 2008. Very appetising and complete. Well integrated and already drinkable with the tannins well in retreat. Savoury, unforced notes on the finish. Does the higher Sangiovese component correlate with classiness? Yummy. (JR)

On DOC Montescudiao. Deep crimson. Round yet fresh even if it lacks real depth of old vines. First vines planted at the turn of the century. Sweet and not the most distinctive Italian wine. Comforting though. (JR)

The estate's 2009 Caiarossa is a typical wine from this part of Tuscany. Here the aromas and flavors are quite dark, powerful and brooding. Black cherries, plums, mocha, tobacco and smoke all flow from this intense Tuscan red. All the elements are very much in place. The 2009 is Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Alicante.