PIaggia Carmignano Riserva Tuscany, 2018, 750

The 2018 Carmignano Piaggia Riserva pulls you close with a captivating display of rich exotic spices, tobacco and cherry sauce, lifted by cooling hints of mint and menthol. It’s elegant and velvety yet also full of life, casting tart cherry-berry tones across a core of stimulating acidity with notes of cinnamon and clove. There’s so much depth and energy as well, tapering off lightly structured with hints of balsam herbs, licorice and a coating of fine tannin. The 2018 can already be enjoyed today, yet another year or two of cellaring will help it to come fully into focus.

This pure, well-delineated red is heralded by black cherry, blackberry and graphite aromas and flavors, with flashes of rosemary and juniper adding detail. Lively and firm, with assertive, civilized tannins gracing the long, fruity aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.