2017 Il Carnasciale Ottantadue

Knowing Il Carnasciale they have a knack for design, but this pulls it up to a whole new level. Beautiful label stuck on a striking broad-bellied burgundy-shaped bottle of white glass. Very pretty, but unfortunately also very heavy. 100% Sangiovese in stainless steel only. Mid ruby. A little shy on the nose. Subtle minerally cherry fruit with a hint of graphite and with attractive, herbal, stalky notes. Supple and easy drinking, but with plenty of interest to it. Amazing balance and transparency for a wine made in this hot and arid vintage. Fine, drying tannins. The white glass bottle suggests this is not for cellaring, and I agree. (WS)

The 2017 Ottantadue, 100% Sangiovese, is a new wine from Carnasciale made from vineyards in Le Pianacce. Plump, juicy and radiant, the 2017 offers plenty of Sangiovese character, with the extra bit of textural richness that is typical of the year. Sweet red cherry, spice, new leather and rose petal build in a creamy, generous wine that will drink beautifully right out of the gate.

This is a whole new wine from Il Carnasciale that underlines the estate's commitment to the Valdarno di Sopra appellation. This is also this estate's first try at a pure expression of Sangiovese. The 2017 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese Ottantadue is packaged in a heavy, transparent glass bottle that reveals the ruby colored wine housed inside. As far as Sangiovese goes, the wine offers medium complexity and dimension. Instead, it paints broad brush strokes of the grape that are familiar and pretty but not too deep. There are pretty aromas of wild cherry, grilled herb and blanched almond. This wine completes both its primary and secondary fermentations in a combination of steel and cement and ages in stainless steel vats. Some 6,500 bottles of this inaugural vintage were released.