Only made in magnum, the Il Borro 2016 Alessandro dal Borro is a pure expression of Syrah from the wild and sun-drenched Arezzo corner of Tuscany. The front label depicts the portly military figure Alessandro dal Borro, who founded this tiny hamlet now run as a luxury hotel by one branch of the Ferragamo family. You get lots of Syrah intensity and purity here with a robust bouquet that focuses on dark fruit, sweet plum, Indian spice and cured leather. You also get hints of cracked white pepper. That variety-driven bouquet is followed by a medium-bodied mouthfeel that shows a slightly more streamlined and lean finish. The wine concludes with a subdued and elegant personality.

Only made in magnums, the 2015 Alessandro dal Borro plays homage to the Syrah grape that thrives in this special corridor of land in Tuscany near Arezzo. This wine was first produced in 2011, and this 2015 vintage saw 2,792 numbered magnums released. Like the portly figure (the nobleman after whom this wine is named) depicted on the front label, this is a full-bodied and robust expression with those deeply savory aromas of mesquite, spice, leather and black pepper that are so specific to Syrah. The core of the wine shows rich blackberry fruit. The wine ages in all new barrique for 18 months, although future editions might see a portion of the wine in botte grande as well. Alessandro dal Borro is exuberant, generous, open and absolutely expressive.

Syrah needs a little extra heat and this vintage amply delivered those warm temperatures. The 2012 Alessandro dal Borro (1.5-liter) is a pure expression of the mighty Rh?ne grape from the Arezzo area of Eastern Tuscany. This wine is only bottled in magnums. This is a very precise and linear expression that shows characteristic traits of blackberry, chocolate, cured meat and cracked peppercorn. This wine happily offers a greater level of complexity and textural depth compared to 2011. It showcases this power and potential of the Valdarno territory.

Tasted from a magnum bottle, the 2011 Alessandro dal Borro (1.5 liter) is a richly layered expression of Syrah from the sunlit hillsides of Eastern Tuscany. Arezzo is one of the areas in Italy that is showing the most interesting results with this variety. This is a bold and opulent wine that is aged in low-toast new barrique for 20 months. The wine is soft and velvety with a thicker grain of tannin that is characteristic of this hot growing season. The wine delivers full throttle aromas of black fruit, tobacco and spice.