Production is limited, my anticipation was great and my expectations surpassed (and they were high). I waited until I could share a bottle with my friend and colleague Vino Vistas in what is becoming an annual tradition. Sitting in Montalcino’s Drogheria Franci , overlooking the “wine well,” we sat and sipped and supped and scribbled as we slowly made our way through one of the very few bottles produced. The colour is light bright ruby. The nose is an enticing exercise in potential; tight to begin with but the inescapable impression of whole families of aromas waiting to burst out. It combines pulizia with brilliance and an exciting sense of length and depth; after two hours it was still surprising us with layers of minerality, sottobosco and faint eucalyptus. In the mouth it is the same neverending story; again, minerality from the Castelnuovo vineyard, elusive vegetal notes, our trademark liquorice and violet with an inkling of dark chocolate and just a tiny hint of caramel. Pinpoint acidity gives it mouthwatering succulence and juicy vibrancy. It is structured and complex with integrated anchored tannins and a lingering multi-layered finish, as befitting the 2010 vintage. This is not a voluptuous wine but has the focused, powerful, lean elegance of a thoroughbred. Next tasting appointment: 2021. Excited already.