Made by the Italian duo of Giovanni and Folonari Tenute, the 2011 Saggi offers beautiful notes of spice box, cedar, licorice, dried herbs and assorted black cherry and dark currant styled fruit to go with a medium to full-bodied, focused and layered feel on the palate. A blend of 43% Sangiovese, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, this superb blend has solid concentration (especially in the vintage), notable purity of fruit, and present, yet ripe and nicely integrated tannic grip that comes through on the finish. Give it another year or three and drink bottles through 2023.
As always, the lineup from Long Shadows is impressive across the board. Their 2011s show surprising richness in the vintage and are certainly standouts.
Tel. (425) 467-9398; www.longshadows.com