As an IGT this Tuscan is allowed to be made with 100% Merlot. Dark in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate straight out of the bottle the wine displays some subtle plummy notes overwhelmed almost immediately by the 15% alcohol. Allow a bit of breathing and you will be rewarded with a rich dark plum, smokey, oakey rich Merlot. On the medium length finish the wine displays some smooth tannins along with acidity and still some noticeable alcohol. This is a lovely wine. I was afraid I might have left it too long being a 2008 but there was still lots of lovely fruit left. I would give this wine a solid 90+. Probably one of the best Merlots I’ve had from Italy and one of the better Merlots I’ve had in a while. But it’s big for a Merlot! I believe it was $63 a bottle when bought in 2012, it was a gift.
