2015 SAN LEONARDO. Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy (Half bottle)

Trentino is in the far north of Italy and this is in the southern part of that province in the Vallagarina valley, east of of Lake Garda and close to both the Adige River and the Lessini mountains.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Carmenère; first matured for 10 months in concrete vats; then 24 months in French oak (half new).

Owned by Carlo and Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, initially advised by Piero Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta of Sassicaia and consultant Giacomo Tachis; but now by Carlo Ferrini. The property was originally a monastery, founded in AD 900.

Really elegant Bordeaux-style red from the far north. As the review (below) states, this is approachable already but will mature well for 10 years, even in halves.

“The 2015 San Leonardo is a classic in the making. The bouquet is wonderfully perfumed with peppery florals, mixing tart cherry and blueberry with white smoke, hints of graphite and shaved cedar. Silky textures race across a core of juicy acids and minerals, making for a ripe yet cool-toned and pleasurably tactile expression. Youthful tannins slowly make themselves known toward the close. Long, structured and spicy, the 2015 finishes with a crescendo of tart blue and black fruits, tapering off to notes of subtly sweet spice. As good as this is today, it will only get better over time. That said, it doesn’t appear that this is going to shut down anytime in the immediate future, so it’s certainly worth checking on a bottle or two before forgetting the rest in your cellar.” 95/100, Eric Guido, vinous.com, July 2020.