This wine hails from the Bolgheri DOC in Italy. There is a Bolgheri DOC and a Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in Tuscany, but I didn’t know that Bolgheri wines don’t list the varietals on the label because of course, they are all intended to be Bordeaux blends and to be examples of that specific terroir.

This one doesn’t disappoint – it’s a 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc blend that could possibly be cellared for a while but is still drinking very nicely right now.

Clean and bright, an extraordinarily deep garnet and legs noted. On the nose, it’s a medium plus intensity developing wine with notes of bramble, cassis, black cherry, savoury and meaty tones, liquorice and vanilla.

The palate is dry with medium acidity, smooth tannins, medium + alcohol, a pleasing and mouth-filling medium body and medium + intense flavours of blackberry, deep black fruit, liquorice root, forest floor and herbs including dill, prune and pencil shavings. The finish is long and the wine is beautifully balanced.

A very good Bolgheri wine for a rainy Vancouver Tuesday with porch-barbecued Italian sausage, rice and salad.