Poggio Scalette, Carbonaione, IGT 2013

Wow. The mouthfeel, depth and length to this red is really phenomenal. Full body, ultra-fine tannins. Blueberry, blackberry and chocolate character. Goes on for minutes. The composure and substance to this wine is amazing. This is the best ever Il Carbonaione. Will improve for years but taste it now.

The 2013 Il Carbonaione is compelling. That's the good news. The bad news, if you can call it that, is that the 2013 is going to take the better part of the next decade to be at its best. Black cherry, plum, licorice and menthol are all fused together. Today, the 2013 is rich, deep and unctuous, with superb depth and striking balance. Opening a bottle anytime soon, though, is likely to be a mostly academic exercise, as the Carbonaione is so primary, it almost tastes like a barrel sample!

Vittorio Fiore's 2013 Il Carbonaione is a softly integrated and well-composed expression of Sangiovese. It shows enormous richness and makes a lasting impression on all the senses, from eyes to nose to palate. The appearance is inky dark, and the bouquet offers a balanced medley of ripe fruit, backing spice, leather, chocolate and tart berry aromas. It needs a few more years to unwind and lose some of its nervous energy. This is a beautiful and unique expression of the grape that will show its best in about five years.