Lots of violets, blackberries, black cherries, orange peel and black olives. Tar, asphalt and chocolate, too. Medium to full body. The extremely fine tannins run the length of the wine, providing a creamy texture and a very long finish. Fantastic debut. Made from seven parcels around the estate near Arezzo. 100% merlot. Drink from 2025.

Here is a new submission from Tenuta Sette Ponti. A pure expression of Merlot, the 2019 Sette is a blend of fruit from three vineyard sites— Cipressi, Nocetta 1 and Sorbaccio—all found on the estate. This wine is soft and velvety from the get-go with lots of black fruit and rich concentration. Black cherry, dried blackberry, sweet spice and a hint of dried mint appear on the bouquet. This is a super generous and immediate wine that puts it all out there for you to enjoy. The wine is absolutely transparent in terms of its pleasure factor. There are no hidden agendas in this true crowd-pleaser. - ML

Silky and plush, this red leans to the elegant side, featuring black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, iron and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Harmonious and well-structured, with polished tannins emerging on the long aftertaste and leaving a powdery feel. Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2038. — B.S.