WTN: 2002 Tenuta Vitanza Quadrimendo IGT

[geo t.]

2002 Tenuta Vitanza Quadrimendo IGT, $31, 60% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot, 13% alc.: A deep, dark garnet in color, this shows equally deep and dark black fruit characteristics on the nose and the palate, with plenty of very smooth and very dry black currant and blackberry, accented by understated notes of licorice, earth, and with extended air, coffee and chocolate. Rosalba Vitanza takes pains to choose small Sangiovese grapes with thick skins for this blend, describing them as similar to the Merlot grapes in that regard. Medium full bodied, with a nice density and balance, this soaked long on the dregs of the pressed grapes before spending twelve months in small French oak barriques, then another six months in bottle before release. It shows only the subtlest influence of the oak, and could hardly be described as "international" in style, which is fine with me. Very nice now, but with its silky tannins and ample acidity, this will surely improve for at least the next few years.

Click here for the full Gang of Pour feature, including notes on Tenuta Vitanza's Rosso and Brunellos.

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.