2011 Tenuta di Trinoro, Palazzi, Toscana IGT

Franchetti's 2011 Palazzi, 100% Merlot, in this vintage is captivating in its beauty. Freshly cut flowers, lavender, violets, mint, cloves and plums literally jump from the glass. Despite its opulent, full-throttle personality, the 2011 is beautifully balanced. Ripeness is pushed to the extreme, that is for sure, but nevertheless all the elements are very much in the right place. I am not sure how the 2011 will age, but it should drink beautifully for at least a handful of years.

A pure expression of Merlot, the 2011 Palazzi is loaded tight with soft notes of overripe fruit and strawberry. This wine doesn-t deliver the same focused intensity as the others and the jammy fruit will prove over-the-top for most. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Andrea Franchetti is one of the most extreme winemakers in Italy who prefers massively reduced yields and richly extracted fruit. His winery is located in Sarteano, southern Tuscany. Importer: T. Edward Wines; www.tedwardwines.com