Aromas of cassis and crushed blackberries with notes of cedar, cloves, dark chocolate and bark. Some pencil lead, too. Full-bodied, deep and intense with compact but creamy tannins and a deep core of fruit. Long and luscious. Drink or hold.

A beam of black currant and black cherry fruit aligns with vanilla and new oak elements in this sleek red. On the astringent side now, but the ripe fruit and sweet oak prevails. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. Best from 2023 through 2028. 100 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Maremma Toscana Select to Add

The 2017 Maremma Toscana Poggio alle Nane is a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with some Carmenère from a decidedly hot and dry vintage. I visited the estate in the summer of 2017, and how could I forget those scorching temperatures? This wine shows an uncanny sense of confidence. It sets out its goals, and it accomplishes them with flying colors. The goal is to harness the natural heat and sunshine of Castiglione della Pescaia with dark fruit, extraction and soft tannins. Those are precisely the qualities you get here. Le Mortelle is owned by Marchesi Antinori of Florence, so you can count on rock-solid precision and consistency across the line of wines.

Black cherry and plum fruit combines with loamy earth, iron and tobacco flavors in this broad, opulent red. Dusty tannins seep in as it winds down on the finish, staying fresh and focused. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2029. 80 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Maremma Toscana Select to Add