Barco Reale di Carmignano Sangiovese Blend

Cherry, raspberry, currant, blackberry, mossy earth and hints of licorice. Good structure and moderate tannins.

Rustic dark sour berries, herbal notes, medium tannins and an extra dry finish. Interesting wine. Sangiovese, Cab, Canaiolo blend. 90

Stunning wine with dinner. Very nice on the palette and very well paired with a red meat dinner.

This bottle is why I’m loyal to my wine merchant. The knowledgeable old guy greeted me this week then peered into my cart. As I was almost finished shopping I stood if front of the Italy section and we noodled the possibilities together. He knows I’m a value buyer and soon held up this bottle and said “you need to check this out”. He was so right. I’m headed back for more. This time I’ll decant to encourage the juice to open even more. Nice stuff.

I’m always wary of products that wear a an association with royalty (outside of a royal warrant) on their sleeve. Witness a certain dodgy perfume company that uses the Prince of Wales’s Three Feathers device (without the “Ich Dien” motto). The typo-riddled text on the _front_ label of this wine states that the vines grow in the “Barco Reale” mentioned by Cosimo de [sic] Medici in his decree of of 1716. What a surprise, then to look up the history, and it checks out! So what does it taste like? A sort of baby-supertuscan, just enough Cabernet in the blend to add a nice international feel and structure. A screaming bargain, the low price perhaps justifying a Medici namedrop.

Pretty average - too tannic and too much oak on the finish

Good heavier body Italian wine

2014. Found at Douglas Dec 2017 $16

I didn't order but like.

First sniff is funky until you let it open up. Medium bodied nice and refined blend.