The 2015 Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva Colli del Mancuso (made from oak-aged Gaglioppo) opens to a rich and darkly saturated appearance. Ultimately, I would classify this as a mid-weight wine, although there is enough natural extract and concentration here to describe it as a borderline full-bodied red. It opens to black fruit nuances with soft tannins and sour cranberry endnotes. Some 20,000 bottles were made.

The 2012 Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva Colli del Mancuso is a showy, extroverted red wine from the deep south of Italy. The grape used here is Gaglioppo, and it usually results in medium-bodied reds with a lighter garnet color. This wine stands apart from its peers because of the depth of its color saturation and its fruity richness. The bouquet offers robust tones of cherry, blackberry and soft spice. This is a complete and generous Cirò with that characteristic touch of sourness on the close.

This Riserva from Calabria offers sweet aromas of Christmas spice and candied fruit backed by tobacco and tealeaf. It also offers earthy flavors of ripe fruit and prunes and ends with slightly astringent and sour tannins. Pair it with something sweet such as pasta with gorgonzola or piquant cheese.——M.L.(12/1/2009)—— 86