The 2018 Terre di San Leonardo offers bright intensity and lots of dark fruit with easy spice, fresh blackberry and subtle mineral tones. A quote on the label reads in Italian "la Terra é l'anima del nostro mestiere" (Soil is the soul of our craft). This entry-level red wine seeks to offer transparency, freshness and an authentic interpretation of a unique Italian territory.

This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère with fruit contributions from across the estate vineyard holdings. The well-priced 2016 Terre di San Leonardo is a terrific sounding board not only for the vintage and its classic lines but also for the unique San Leonardo territory and microclimate at the Adige River bed between mountain peaks. The wine opens to a medium-light appearance with dark garnet highlights. The aromas are delicate and soft, with a lot of blue flower and wild rose. A refreshing layer of forest berry and cassis come next, and the bouquet finishes up with mulling spice and smoke. There is a point of sour cherry or cranberry on the finish. This is a large production, with 95,000 bottles.

The 2015 Terre di San Leonardo gives us a sneak peek of the fruit intensity and exuberance that is associated with this lovely vintage. This is an accessible and food-friendly blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère selected from across the San Leonardo estate. This wine offers immediate tones of black cherry, spice and blackberry. This is a very fruit-driven vintage that can be consumed within the next 5 years.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère are the building blocks that make the informal 2014 Terre di San Leonardo. This is a dark ruby-colored wine with medium heft and concentration. The bouquet is delicate but powerful at the same time, with blackberry, spice, leather and tobacco. Despite the softness of the bouquet, the wine is more astringent and lean in terms of mouthfeel.

The 2013 Terre di San Leonardo is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère from various vineyard points across Tenuta San Leonardo's holdings. This is a bright and brilliant ruby red with a cheerful personality and vibrant aromas of dark fruit, mountain herb, wild berry, dried tobacco and mint. The wine delivers a fresh approach with crisp acidity to keep the palate refreshed.