2015 San Giusto a Rentennano La Ricolma

Powerful and saturated, with black cherry, plum, cedar, iron and wild herb aromas and flavors, this is also tightly wound. The dense matrix of tannins flexes on the muscular finish, as the fruit, mineral and underbrush elements persist. Best from 2021 through 2040. 575 cases made, 110 cases imported.

Wow, the 2015 La Ricolma is wine that leaves you speechless—quite literally—because you'll want to focus all your attention on drinking it. This pure expression of Merlot from one of Italy's most blessed growing sites is an outstanding wine. There's so much beauty and intensity here, it's hard to know where to begin. The bouquet bursts open with black fruit, spice and leather. The combined effect of the wine's extreme integration is so smooth and silky to the palate. That Merlot softness wraps over and caresses the senses with care and grace. This is a medium to full-weight wine, but ultimately, its texture is lighter and more streamlined than you might expect. This is a crucial key to what makes this wine so profoundly attractive. Only 5,780 bottles were made.

This shows huge intensity on the nose with pressed violets, eucalyptus, cedar, tobacco and five-spice powder, but there’s also an unmistakable edginess of citrus, candle wax and orange rind. Full-bodied with really fleshy plums, supported by honed-in tannins and driven acidity. Long, muscular yet elegant. Drink in 2022.