The 2006 Tenuta di Trinoro is another profound wine from Andrea Franchetti. Purity, power and structure all come together as this stunning, youthful wine gradually opens in the glass. Jammy dark blueberries, menthol, spices and toasted oak are just some of the nuances to be found in this sweet, textured offering. Today it comes across as less intense than previous vintages. In 2006 the Tenuta is 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Franchetti describes the 2006 harvest, as “serene” particularly in the crucial last month of ripening which allowed for a late harvest that took place between the 10th and 24th of October. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Proprietor Andrea Franchetti continues to turn out some of the most inspired wines in Italy. Franchetti pushes ripeness to the extreme, letting his fruit hang far longer than is the norm, which can cause problems as the growing season moves into the fall and the risk of inclement weather increases. To be sure, his is a high-risk, high-reward approach few winemakers would have the stomach for. From year to year the blend in his top bottling, Tenuta di Trinoro, varies considerably, but one thing is a constant; the wines are almost always outstanding and often profound expressions of these terroirs as interpreted by Franchetti. In recent years the second wine, Le Cupole di Trinoro, has established itself as a terrific wine that won’t break the bank. For those who are curious, the cellar itself is as bare-bones as they come. The wines are fermented in smallish stainless steel tanks which allow Franchetti to vinify separate lots of fruit individually. The wines are aged in French barrels. Importer: T. Edward Wines, Ltd., New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504

Full and very soft, showing a lot of plummy, gamy aromas, with hints of dried flowers. Raisiny and fruit-forward, almost sweet-and-sour. A New World style. If you like big, thick reds, you will love this. A big improvement after a weak 2005. Best from 2010 through 2015. -JS