Castellare di Castellina, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2015

 This is a near perfect Tuscan red for my taste.  Although many grape varieties can thrive in Tuscany, the Sangiovese captures the soul of this distinctive region.  At its best, the Sangiovese grape offers sensory delights for the nose and palate, with exciting intensity of fruit and layers of complexity.  The 2015 I Sodi di San Niccolò from Castellare shows the beauty and purity of the Sangiovese grape at its very best.  In this bottling, the Sangiovese is enhanced by a judicious addition of the aromatic Malvasia Nera and the combination is a sensuous delight.  Lovely aromas of pure blackberry, red cherry and raspberry fruits are interwoven with nuances of wildflowers, herbs, cedar, vanilla and cinnamon spice.  The flavors are equally enchanting, with red and black fruits underlain by a rich texture and delicate floral, herb, cedar, vanilla and spice tones.  The purity of flavors is memorable!  This is a stunning Tuscan red that will cellar beautifully for another decade and beyond.