2012 Tenuta di Biserno, Lodovico, Toscana

So aromatic and enticing with such gorgeous perfumes of flower and berry. Full body, integrated tannins with fantastic fruit and balance. Long and illustrious. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot. Better in 2019.

The estate's 2012 Lodovico, mostly Cabernet Franc with a dollop of Petit Verdot, boasts striking nuance for such a big, powerful wine. Here the flavors are intense but also beautifully delineated throughout. Mocha, espresso, blackberry jam and sweet herbs add shades of nuance on the dramatic finish. Over the last few months, the tannins have softened, but the 2012 remains a bit closed and in need of further time in bottle to fully come together. The interplay of structure and raciness should become even more compelling over the next handful of years.

The 2012 Lodovico is a breakout wine that marks the beginning of its own distinct identity. This is a complete, 360-degree expression that is also showing very nicely at this moment in its drinking window. I'd say it is on the cusp of its tasting apex. The vines were planted in 2003 and 2004, so they were still young when this wine was made. Still, the quality of fruit is articulate and intense with blackberry, cinnamon, wet earth and pressed rose petal. This wine is one of the best surprises of this vertical flight.