2009 Sassontino

Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, this wine is held back and released at least 10 years after the harvest. The Sangiovese Il Nero di Casanova 2009 Sassontino offers good balance and ultimately tastes fresher compared to the other late-releases from this producer that I tasted at the same time. You get a good sense of dark fruit with dried blackberry and plum that is nicely fleshed out by spice, tobacco and tar. I also feel that this wine, made with Sangiovese from 50-year-old vines, has more complexity and aging potential.