Prugnolo Gentile is a clone of Sangiovese that comes from the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation. Giorgio Rivetti is doing a lot of work with this clone at his Tuscan property near Pisa. The 2013 Il Gentile di Casanova opens to a dark color with red copper highlights. The aromas are raw and genuine with black fruit, spice and rusty nail. The wine offers heft and power, although it does loosen up to show pretty elegance and silkiness in terms of mouthfeel. If you are hankering for an authentic taste of Tuscany, this wine will do.

The 2008 Il Gentile di Casanova is an attractive wine graced with crushed flowers, sweet dark red fruit, cedar, tobacco and spices. Firm yet polished tannins support the fruit nicely in this elegant, mid-weight wine from La Spinetta. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

The 2007 Il Gentile di Casanova is a generous dark red with plenty of fruit. Sweet, floral notes add a measure of complexity, but this remains a relatively one-dimensional, straightforward offering. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

Scents of super-ripe dark cherries, tobacco, spices and leather waft from the glass as the 2006 Il Gentile di Casanova opens up. A vein of minerality frames the fruit beautifully through to the long, creamy finish. The La Spinetta house style built on ripeness and textural depth is in evidence in this Sangiovese-based red but is not as overdone as in previous wines. This is a gorgeous juice. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. These are two brilliant, absolutely delicious reds from La Spinetta’s Tuscan estate in Terricciola. Readers will have a lot to look forward to if proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and his team can maintain this level of quality going forward. For now, both the Gentile and Colorino are highly recommended for their absolute quality and value. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300