There is a lovely delicateness and softness to the 2016 Promis. The IGT appellation used here reflects fruit (a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese) sourced from Bibbona. The Promis has always seen Merlot in a leading role. This is a full and complete wine with nice roundness and bright freshness on the close. It is the most immediate and food friendly of these offerings from Ca'Marcanda.

Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese are the backbone of the 2015 Promis. Compared to the Bolgheri Rosso Magari, this wine delivers a slightly easier approach with a savory flavor profile. Dried berries and cassis are followed by leather, tobacco and a touch of black tar. This wine is a hair more advanced in terms of its evolution too. The finish offers a moment of austerity with smoky end notes.

The 2014 Promis (Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese) shows the signs of the more difficult vintage with lower intensity and less depth compared to the 2013 and other vintages before it. There is a big silver lining that comes, thanks to the wine's fresh acidity and bright primary fruit profile. Promis is a pleasure to drink now and that's exactly how it should be consumed. It's near-term beauty from a more challenging vintage to pair with ragù sauce and your favorite pasta dish.

Angelo Gaja always presents one of the most exciting tastings of the year. The 2013 Promis (Merlot, Syrah and a small part Sangiovese) reveals all the hallmarks of the excellent vintage. The wine offers a supple and smooth entry that is creamy and delicious. Spice, dark fruit, cherry, blackberry, tar, resin and cola come to attention. The tannins still show some attitude so I would recommend giving this wine a few more years of cellar aging. The intensity, depth and persistency promise many years of forward-looking cellar aging.

The 2012 Promis IGT (Merlot, Syrah and a smaller component of Sangiovese) does indeed deliver on its promise of Gaja-inspired winemaking excellence. The wine opens to a dark garnet color with nicely balanced aromas of blackberry, red cherry and kirsch. Soft oak contours of tobacco and dark chocolate widen the wine’s aromatic footprint. This is a contemplative and well-executed effort.