Aged in amphorae with one year on the skins, the Il Borro 2019 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese in Anfora Petruna is punchy in character and light ruby in color. Micro-oxidation through clay vessels makes for less color intensity, but the wine's fruity freshness is spot-on, as is its streamlined mouthfeel. This wine was first produced in 2015. Earthy tones and terracotta frame a core of dark fruit. I love this easy-drinking style of red wine.

This is another exciting wine from Il Borro that is now back in the Valdarno di Sopra appellation. The 2018 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese in Anfora Petruna is the Ferragamo family's amphorae-based wine, created as a way of showcasing the purity and sharpness of Sangiovese from this tiny, new and exciting appellation. This is a wine of character, showing the pure forest berry, bitter almond and earthy aromas that are associated with the grape. You also get some clay and terracotta from the hands-off winemaking process. You could pair this wine with a lasagna rich in cheese, because the acidity of the grape is ever-present to clean your palate.

The previous edition of this wine was a proud participant of the Valdarno di Sopra designation, but mysterious bureaucratic forces came into play with this vintage, and for whatever reason, this wine was excluded from the appellation. As a result, the 2017 Sangiovese in Anfora Petruna is part of the IGT Toscana denomination. It's too bad, I suppose, but the wine's exclusion certainly does not boost my confidence in the officials charged with deciding who is in and who is out. My reaction to this wine is overwhelmingly positive. This is a pure expression of organic Sangiovese that is farmed with extreme care, down to one kilogram of fruit per plant. The grapes are fermented in clay amphorae with daily punch-downs. The clay vessels are then sealed with steel lids, and the wine is left in contact with the skins for 12 months. The results are offbeat and provocative for sure, but the wine pleases the senses thanks to its grape-skin purity and firm mid-weight texture. The freshness and energy of the fruit comes through loud and clear, and you don't feel the heat of the vintage whatsoever. I give it my thumbs up.