This is a real treat from Italy. Sangiovese and Cabernet from Massa Maritima (near Morellino di Scansano). Serious care and love go into the wines from this ancient family’s estates.

Morisfarms is the Tuscan estate of the Parentini family, which comprises an impressive 420 hectares under vine, with the vast majority of vine¬yards lying within the Morellino di Scansano sub¬zone of the rugged Maremma region in southwestern Tuscany. Morellino, which is often known as “Baby Brunello” is one of the great, undiscovered wine-pro¬ducing regions of Tuscany. The wines of Morellino stylistically represent a hypothetical blend between the generally medium-bodied, red fruity, spicy and tangy wines of Chianti and the more plummy and serious wines of Brunello. Perversely, Morellino di Scansano’s relatively low profile on the international wine market has allowed it to avoid the pitfalls of over-extraction and excessive use of new oak barrels that has come to plague many of the formerly superb estates in Brunello in the last decade.

The property at Massa Maritima is called Fattoria Poggietti, and the vineyard there sits at about 100 meters above see level, on well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (ph 7.7) that helps to turn up the acid in the Sangiovese. This wine consists of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged for 12 months in seasoned oak barrels, then further aged in bottle before release.

Think savory herbs, baked cherries, and hints of iodine and minerals. Try this wine with game, or leaner cuts of good beef. It’s also great with hearty stews and dishes with stewed tomatoes. Drink now – 2017