San Giovenale Habemus Red Label 2021

Drink now or cellar for up to 11 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. The San Giovenale winery, which takes its name from a nearby Etruscan necropolis, was founded in 2006 when the successful entrepreneur Emanuele Pangrazi fell in love with these hills while visiting the area on holiday. Emanuele worked closely with the famous Italian enologist Marco Casolanetti to locate top sites for vineyards in the picturesque valley of Blera just to the north of Rome and threw himself into learning all he could about making fine wine. While local grapes like Sangiovese and Montepulciano don’t suit the loamy soils, conditions here are ideal for making exceptional wines from international grape varieties thanks to the plentiful summer sunshine and cooling influence of the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. The Cimini Mountains also shelter the vines from cold winds blowing from the north. Pangrazi’s Habemus Red Label is crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc which is grown organically on the estate. On the nose there are seductive notes of red cherry, plum and baked earth while the first sip reveals a silky smooth entry, soft tannins and hints of wild herbs, smoke and crushed berries which linger long on the tongue. The wine has plenty of freshness, making it a great match for tomato-based pasta dishes and all manner of charcuterie and hard cheeses.

Price: £106.21 from 8wines UK