Chiara Condello, Le Lucciole Predappio Riserva Sangiovese, Romagna

Quaffable.

Da Niccolo (Nick's house) : Spiced cherry, tar, blackberry, rose and a touch of game. An earthy strawberry and cherry richness on the palate - savoury and dense without carrying any fat. Reference-point Emilian Sangiovese

Da Niccolo (Our house) : Magnum. In contrast to the other 2015 red mag, this didn't seem at all marked by the heat. It's still a bit glossy, but there's great depth of savoury-tinged flavour and just a little high-altitude bite to the finish. Very Italian! Probably at peak? The group's #2 WOTN.

Da Niccolo (Chez Nick), served out of magnum. I did not take written notes so impressions only. My expectations for this were suitably reined in after reading some mixed - and sceptical - reviews on this producer, but this really was a revelation. OK it was modern and glossy, but delicious too. This was in such a good spot and a symbiosis of rich primary cherry and strawberry fruit transitioning into some tertiary complexity. After much agonising - and for …

Cherry, roses, clay pot, tar, strawberry, hazelnut, balsamic vinegar. High acidity, high tannins, medium body. Clear and bright. Rich yet ethereal nose with generous, developed palate with a little bit of residual sugar. Very good.