2022 Le Cupole de Trinoro

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the Tenuta di Trinoro 2022 Le Cupole remains one of Italy's greatest value buys, especially for fans of concentrated, sun-drenched Tuscan reds. The fruit is ripe, but not overripe, and there are thick layers of blackcurrant and Morello cherry at the core. These are framed by toasted spice and cinnamon. The wine is medium to full-bodied, although the ample fruit weight gives this vintage a bigger overall mouthfeel.

Full bottle just 1,283 g. 57% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot grown in a particularly dry year. Fermentation took place in tank for 10–15 days. The parcels spent eight months in 225-litre barriques of various ages before blending in concrete tanks where the wine aged for another 12 months. Deep, healthy crimson. Lovely freshness and integration of the ingredients on the nose, zesty mid palate and some tannin still evident on the finish. Lighter-bodied than the Trinoro 2021 released at the same time, with a little spiciness. A recognisably Tuscan variation on the Bordeaux recipe with its slightly drying finish that is really fleet of foot and not dragged down by too much oak influence nor too much extraction. It's really rather lovely. Compared to Trinoro, it's GV. (JR)

The 2022 Le Cupole is a bomb. Ample, dense and super-expressive, the 2022 stains the palate with an exotic mélange of black cherry, espresso, licorice, mocha and dried flowers. This opulent, full-throttle Tuscan red delivers the goods.