Torre Zambra Villamagna DOC 2020

100% Montepulciano.  Fermented wild in stainless steel, aged six months in concrete tanks, then 10 months in French and Slavonian oak tonneau, 50% new, with a further six months in bottle before release.  Villamagna DOC (pronounced Villa-manya) is one of Italy’s smallest appellations at 85 hectares, hosting some five producers and two co-ops.  Granted in 2011, it’s characterised by limestone and clacaire soils and sits at 120 – 250 metres elevation.

Despite weighing in at 15% alcohol against the Riserva’s 14%, it presents as a finer iteration.  Varietal flavours of tobacco, cocoa and coffee are present, but fruit notes of black cherry and raspberry are more present here, with it holding a tighter line in the mouth and finishing with awesome length.  Serious and extremely limited, ships in great looking wooden six packs.

“Wild blackberries, chocolate, bacon and sweet spices on the nose. Full body with chewy tannins and fresh acidity. Sweet blackberries on the palate with a vivid finish. Very ripe and plush, but well-balanced. Sustainable. Vegan. Drink or hold.” 91 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com