Castellare I Sodi di San Niccolo 2014

Dark, brooding, thick and profound, the 2014 I Sodi di S. Niccolò is one of those wines that pushes the quality limits of Sangiovese. The blend here is 85% Sangioveto (an antique name for Sangiovese) with 15% Malvasia Nera. The wine is aged in barrique for 30 months. The bouquet shows black fruit aromas with elaborate spice, toasted nut, cured leather, licorice and crushed stone or granite. The purity of those aromas is profound and impressive. What I appreciate most about this wine is that it delivers this rare level of quality in what was not an easy vintage. Some 27,000 bottles were made.