San Claudio II Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022

A blend of Sangiovese (85%), canaiolo (10%), and mammolo (5%), this is a gorgeous wine with luxurious flavours of dark fruit and berries, spices, and notes of torrefaction. The fruit is wound tightly around a spine of clean fresh acidity, and the tannins are drying, moderate. Aged 24 months in large barrels, it’s a finely balanced wine all through, and it’s ready to drink now, although you can easily hold it to the early 2030s. It’s an obvious and delicious partner for well-flavoured red meats. (Rod Phillips,April 2025)