Only made in magnums, the 2010 Costabate is a wine whose mandate is to highlight oak more than fruit. Let me explain: Andrea Cortonesi sourced special French barrique made with trees over 300-years-old. The quality of the wood is extra compact and dense, and the wine reflects an evidently toasted and smoked character as a result. In fact, it is a little too much for the delicate Sangiovese grape and that is one of the reasons Uccelliera keeps this as an IGT wine. I agree with the choice because the wine is so radically different from the more delicate Brunellos made here. The two sets of wine appeal to two different palates. This vintage of Costabate delivers extra power and determination. Black fruit is followed by tar, Teriyaki and exotic spice. The wine aged for two years in barrique and two years in bottle.