The 2007 Carmignano Il Sasso may very well be the flashiest, most sexy Carmignano I have ever tasted. Mint, dried roses, flowers of all sorts and fragrant red cherries are woven together in a soft, textured fabric of incomparable elegance. The inner perfume carries through to a soft, weightless finish that impresses for its silkiness and finesse. I can’t think of too much more to say, except that this is beautiful juice. Il Sasso is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. In 2007 the fruit was picked from the 5th to the 15th of October, late even by this house’s standards. The wine spent 20 months or so in 100% new oak, very little of which is felt. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017. Proprietor Mauro Vannuci follows up last year’s exceptional wines with another fine set of new releases. Late harvests, long macerations using only indigenous yeasts and no filtration prior to bottling are some of the hallmarks of this small estate. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Blackberry and currant, with hints of rose, follow though to a full body, with a beautiful core of fruit and silky tannins. Balanced. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best after 2011. 2,080 cases made, 300 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Carmignano Select to Add