2012 Nerello Mascalese Vecchie Vigne

The 2012 Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie takes things to a darker, earthier yet ultimately thrilling level, as crushed black raspberry and plum sauce are complemented by hints of exotic brown spice, tobacco and underbrush. This gains freshness through notes of white smoke and roses that emerge with time in the glass. It’s silky, verging on fleshy and quite potent, ushering in textural waves of ripe wild berries and sweet spices, yet balance is maintained through a core of brisk acidity. This leaves a saturation of primary purple and blue-toned concentration upon the senses, becoming youthfully chewy through the dramatically long and lightly structured finale. There is no sign of the 16% abv that’s stated on the label, as the 2012 Vigne Vecchie comes across as completely harmonious, but in need of another year or two of cellaring.