Fonterutoli Siepi 1995

I had this one by myself for an end of summer cellar run that included typical antipasti and a big thick strip steak to end the grilling season with. Needed something big, mature with some spice and acidity and this delivered. The color is very dark, drinking this outside at sundown didn't allow for complete inspection but healthy and dark it was. The nose starts off with lots of leather and spice and the palate is a bit ungenerous straight from the bottle yet the structure is there with balance acidity and resolving soft tannins and a gentle hint of obvious wood on the finish. Develops a bit of an herbal note on the nose with some underlying marzipan and fleshes out in the mouth retaining that slightly raspy sangio acidity I needed for dinner. After about an hour this is absolutely popping with deep mocha topped nose over roasted frutti di bosci. Still some oaken spice adding interest with some fresh almond competing with limestone and floral notes in the mouth and on the finish. This has turned really red fruited on the attack with over-ripe raspberry and plum notes leading to a palate impression that is perfectly mature, with nuanced acidity and tannin adding grab on the fairly long and bright amarena finish. Not supremely complex but not creamy either. Fresh, balanced and delicious with a slight rusticity that adds to the character and depth of the wine.

Lots of vegetal notes, lively and bright, a bit of oak spice. Nice balance and intensity, with an assertive overlay of green vegetal and herb notes of lovely faded cherry fruit. Elegant, open and smooth, nicely resolved and in a very nice place, the Merlot really helps out here, adding softness and roundness to an obviously lean and austere structure. Plum skin, bright fruit. Fun wine, not the most complex, but lovely, showing smoky oak balanced by lovely currant fruit and herbal notes on the moderately long finish. 92pts