The nose smells like a bag full of freshly-picked Michigan cherries and Earl Grey tea. Complexity on the palate is surprising and fun. It starts with tarter red fruits, cranberry and raspberry, and quickly moves to sweeter red fruits on the mid-palate, fresh cherries and dried strawberries. Tannins are deceptive, growing in presence toward the finish, with loads of Earl Grey tea, black tea spiced with a touch of bergamot orange oil. Together, these evolutions take a wine from juicy and simple, a pizza wine, to something far more complex and worthy of something special. Drink with veal saltimbocca. Highly Recommended. 90 points.
WHO: Toccata
WHAT: Sangiovese
WHERE: California, Santa Barbara County
WHEN: 2010
HOW MUCH: $26