Campi Nuovi Montecucco Rosso

Crimson with some bricking on the rim. Expressive Sangiovese nose, showing signature dried cherry, sweet spice and iron. Well-rounded, fleshy palate, with solid tannin frame and good supporting freshness. Right in its sweet spot. Simple and very enjoyable.

Starting to develop some age, with rust on the rim and notes of tobacco leaf and iron amid the black cherry core. This is medium to full bodied, offering a weighty mouthfeel. The tannins on this wine, which have been almost unbearably strong so far, are now dissolving and integrating. Tannins are still evident and chalky, but softer and more approachable. Good acidity, and the stuffing to age for a while yet. Getting there...

(About six months since last bottle): Dense and very concentrated nose of dried roses, dark cherry syrup, lavender, cinnamon. Good complexity and balance, and has a really lifted and elegant approach, especially in first couple of hours. Initially quite harmonious and resembling a good wine of real elegance. The main bugbear from my first tasting was the enormous and drying tannins. These are starting to ease now, and while still very firm and present, they do not distract and do …

Opens with a dense nose of dark cherry syrup, blueberry and sweet tobacco leaf; some herbs, cloves. Palate is rich, very concentrated, almost new worldy. After an hour or so, the tannins really start to dominate. Lots of wood and oak; very drying and distracting; intimidating. Feels like something that will take an age to fully integrate... There is enough fruit, but not sure acidity will hold out.

Good, warm, gorgeous sweet liquorous fruit, spiced wood. Exactly the kind of wine I like to drink. Very dry warm sun-crisped brown leaves. Handles its alcohol beautifully. A touch short on the finish. 14.5%, $20.