The Sportoletti family, one of the leaders in Umbria, produces superb wines from their 50-acre vineyard. A superb introduction to the portfolio, the 2004 Assisi Rosso is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot aged in used French oak for six months. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a rich bouquet of raspberries, cherries, earth, and high quality cigar smoke. It possesses a terrific texture, sweet blackberry, cherry, and strawberry fruit flavors, good glycerin, a delineated mouthfeel, and a lusty, heady, complex finish with savory tannin. Drink it over the next 1-3 years. A gorgeous value!