2010 Agostina, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Tuscany, Italy.
This is flat out delicious wine with plenty of character and charm to spare, best to keep an eye out for this one and the vintage, as they are looking pretty good. I have had Agostina in the past, but honestly as good as they have been, this 2010 really is a stunner with deep fruit and complexity worthy of being called a “Baby Brunello” and in fact there are many Brunello producers that could only dream of making such a tasty wine. This wine is surprisingly full bodied with smooth texture and refined tannins, plus well balanced acidity adding sparkle to this fruit forward Tuscan. The nose starts with dried flowers, sweet tobacco leaf, red currants and hints of mineral which leads to the explosive palate of blackberry, plum, wild strawberry and dark chocolate notes. There is touches of lavender oil, cedar and some nice savory/spicy elements that add to the whole and the finish lingers on with coco and cherry pie. This is pure joy in a bottle, drink young and often best from 2013-2016.
($28 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive