A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2012 Altrovino is especially opulent in this warm vintage. The wine is dark and brooding, but shows grace and poise at the same time. There are black fruit tones with leather, dried tobacco leaf and cigar box. If you look very carefully, there is a musky-earthy-organic aroma that is very pleasant right now but that could lose its charm as the wine continues its evolution. Sweet Merlot pushes through on the close and because the jury's out on the future aromatic trajectory of the wine, I'm going to suggest a slightly shorter drinking window.