Here's a standup Syrah from the sun-drenched countryside that surrounds the little city of Cortona in eastern Tuscany. The Fabrizio Dionisio 2016 Cortona Syrah Il Castagno is a generous and softly layered wine with an inviting and cheerful personality. The bouquet opens evenly to showcase dark fruit, blackberry, spice and even a touch of powdered mocha or bitter chocolate. There are some very distant tones of charred meat and black pepper that are a standard feature of most quality Syrah-based wines. However, this wine delivers a magic touch of Tuscany as well.