Livio Sassetti’s son Lorenzo runs this family estate, farming 40 acres on the slopes of the Montosoli hill. His 2009 spent 36 months in large botti, where it mellowed into an elegant, earthy wine, its vibrant flavors of black cherries and red berries inflected with floral aromas and light spices. Decant this to let the flavors coalesce, then serve with cherry-glazed duck.

Rich, with black cherry and blackberry flavors tinged by tobacco and spice accents. Intense and elegant, with fine balance and a long, refined finish. Offers beautifully integrated tannins for the vintage. Drink now through 2023. 3,300 cases made. –BS

Dark purple/garnet with deep intensity. Perfumed and quite fresh on the nose with a gorgeous mix of cherry and cranberry notes framed by baking spice, leather, earth, anise and a slight floral touch. While the entry is fruit-driven, it retains a classic, rustic Italian character with the leather and spice notes. Medium to full bodied with a sikly profile, the tannins have softened, but remain focused, and the acidity is bright and balanced. This is in a good stage now, but has a decade-long drinking window and is a real revelation for the vintage.