Perricone exudes a complex aroma. At first notice, there is more dried red fruit than dark. It’s a mysterious mixture of the two. As the wine begins to open up, there is a surprise of cacao from the 10 months that it rested in French oak barrels. The cacao is just strong enough to make its presence known. It’s not a roar. It’s a whisper of cacao. Balance of the elements is the sign of a master winemaker.

Its dry full body, smoothness, and mysterious finish demands an accompanied meal that is fatty and savory. There’s a masterful balance of persistent light tannins, with the type of acidic liveliness that makes Italian wines the most exciting in the world.