Cameron Hughes, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2016

 This wine offered my first taste of an Italian wine from the ever-enterprising Cameron Hughes, and it is very good.  Impressive for its gracefulness and integration rather than trying to impress with power to live up to the “Super Tuscan” moniker, it is a stylish rendering of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Syrah from the fabulous 2016 vintage.  Medium-bodied, with sleek texture built on fresh acidity and ultra-fine tannins, it delivers lovely cherry and berry flavors with admirably restrained oak and some subtle savory accents.  Although it is now entirely enjoyable five years after the fruit was harvested, it doesn’t show the faintest signs of cracking up, so you can buy this with confidence that it will last for another couple of years at a minimum.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2022 San Diego International Wine and Spirits Challenge.