Tua Rita, Redigaffi, Toscana 2011

I love the aromas of violets with liquorice and subtle brown sugar. This is a full-bodied merlot with fabulous tannins and a wonderful finish. It shows reserve and balance, with striking complex flavours of orange peel, light berries and chocolate. Pure magic. Goes on for minutes. One of the best Redigaffis ever. Better in 2016.

The 2011 Redigaffi (one of Italy’s iconic Merlots) is a little shy at first and needs a few extra minutes to warm in the glass. Once it does, it bursts open with sweet fruit, blackberry, dark leather and Oriental spice. The wine is beautifully balanced and enormously expressive. It hits the high notes and the low ones with tip-top precision. I loved the purity of the sweet tobacco and crushed white pepper you get on the seductively long finish. It’s a baby now, and needs more aging time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

The estate's 2011 Redigaffi was just bottled, but it doesn't seem to be showing any reticence at all. Smoke, tar and incense all add a dimension of exoticism as this voluptuous, textured Merlot shows off its personality. Layers of fruit build to a creamy, resonant finish. There is a lot to look forward to here.