2013 La Ricolma

San Giusto a Rentennano has produced a knock-out wine in the 2013 La Ricolma. This pure expression of Merlot is exceptional on all fronts and flaunts its pedigree with confidence and grace. The French grape show excellent results in this cooler part of Tuscany in what was a classic vintage without extreme weather. The wine reveals a rich texture with power, concentration and generous length. The flavors span from simple dark cherry and move up to more enticing notes of clove, crushed granite and toasted nut. It should last for two decades. Only 4,990 bottles were produced.

The 2013 La Ricolma is another superb wine from San Giusto. For years, Luca Martini has worked to prune his vines so that the Merlot would ripen late, in October, taking significant risks along the way to do so. For the first time, Martini got what he wanted in 2013. And the result is a spectacular Ricolma. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather and dark spices are fused together. This is one of the most complete, unctuous Ricolmas I have ever tasted. Nothing is out of place. The 2013 is a stunningly beautiful Ricolma to treasure over the next two decades or so. The 2013 is one of the finest - perhaps the finest - young Ricolma I have ever tasted. Luca Martini di Cigala raised the 2013 in French oak barrels, 40% of which were new.

San Giusto a Rentennano has produced a knock-out wine in the 2013 La Ricolma. This pure expression of Merlot is exceptional on all fronts and flaunts its pedigree with confidence and grace. The French grape show excellent results in this cooler part of Tuscany in what was a classic vintage without extreme weather. The wine reveals a rich texture with power, concentration and generous length. The flavors span from simple dark cherry and move up to more enticing notes of clove, crushed granite and toasted nut. It should last for two decades. Only 4,990 bottles were produced. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com