The Syrah grape loves the heat, and that's exactly what it gets in this scorching hot and dry vintage. La Braccesca's 2017 Cortona Syrah Bramasole pours from the bottle with a dark garnet or purple color, followed by aromas of blackberry, charred meat, cured bresaola and black pepper. That smoky or meaty Syrah character is unmistakable in this hearty Tuscan red. The finish is smooth and mid-weight, showing enough acidity to pair with meat-filled tortellini with panna (cream sauce) and Parmigiano.

This is a deep and penetrating wine with loads of dark fruit and ripe blackberry. The 2016 Cortona Syrah Bramasole is large in scope and deep in concentration. There is a point of sweet oak spice on the close. This full-bodied wine is rich and long lasting with tight, beautiful intensity.

The 2015 Cortona Syrah Bramasole is an explosive expression of Syrah with bursting aromas of black fruit, bitter chocolate, tobacco, smoked bacon and milled peppercorn. There is a point of fruity jam that could be perceived as over the top if it weren't so well absorbed by the textural density and fullness of the variety. The palate is awash in alternating waves of sweetness followed by savory, smoky flavors. It all comes together very nicely indeed.

The 2011 Cortona Syrah Bramasole is a soft and velvety wine that is endowed with extra layers of black fruit, spice, tobacco and bitter chocolate. There is a savory and spicy character here that would pair perfectly next to a piece of grilled meat with gristle, salt and rosemary. The wine shows some budding tertiary qualities with smoke and crushed white peppercorn.