2016 Le Cupole de Trinoro

The 2016 Le Cupole is a simply beautiful wine, with a full and richly extracted style that delivers power but does not go overboard. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc (42%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Petit Verdot (4%) that shows a lot of black fruit and a touch of green spice on the close. This wine comes full circle to offer a great drinking experience. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in two- and three-year-old barriques for eight months and ten months in cement. Some 58,100 bottles were produced.

Trinoro's 2016 Le Cupole is bold, in your-face and unapologetically rich. It's also a fabulous value from Trinoro and proprietor Andrea Franchetti. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, new leather, spice and menthol build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors as this bold, flamboyant wine shows off its alluring personality. There is nothing subtle about Le Cupole, but it is undeniably delicious.

Bordeaux blend, the second wine of Tenuta di Trinoro. Dark crimson. Savoury, balsam, definitely warm climate notes. Sweet, rather seductive right bank palate entry and then lots of acidity tightens the whole thing on the finish after an opulent start. Quite a bite of tannin and a bit of alcohol on the end. Tannins are a little sandpapery and rasping but the fruit quality is high. (JR)