While 2016 was a 'deckchair' vintage, 2014 demanded much more work. Alessandro notes that the team did five passages through the vineyard - the equivalent of handpicking 35 hectares - in order to select only healthy grapes in what had been a cool, wet growing season with just a narrow window of opportunity to pick in sunshine. Production was down by over 50% - just 14,000 bottles. 'I made a Brunello, many of my colleagues only made a Rosso,' says Alessandro. Consequently his 2014 received a lot of positive attention from wine journalists which, he claims, resulted in him selling all but six bottles to export markets! Pure aromas of red berries and sour cherry are joined on the palate by fine, structural tannins, lacy acidity and a ripe fruit character with touches of wood and chocolate - a fine demonstration of how 'the hand of man' has an influence on what could have become a disappointing wine in lesser hands. Served from magnum.

Healthy medium dark red. Musky nuances to the aromas of redcurrant, herbs, violet and earth. Fresh and pliant on the palate, with a touch of sweetness and sneaky complexity to its red plum, redcurrant and soil flavors. Finishes with sweet but firm tannins and outstanding length.

From the north of the zone. Bright, evolved ruby. Very lifted nose. And fully resolved tannins – quite remarkably so. Chestnut and strawberry notes and some very refined fruit. More advanced than most. (JR)

Just mid ruby. Savoury nose bursting with minerals but closed on the fruit. Lithe and complex fruit palate but with quite a bit of tannin. (WS)