2001 Le Stanze

The 2001 Le Stanze is Carletti’s Bordeaux blend, but the 30% Merlot gives it a rather different texture from most Tuscan wines of this type. An inky ruby/black with a nose of cassis, plums, sweet herbs, and pencil shavings, its flavors are broad and deep, very round, but well concentrated, featuring black currants, graphite, licorice and a warming alcohol which adds to the velvet and volume. Drink: 2005-2015. Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. (732) 225-9000