Oreno Rosso Toscana IGT 2014 Sette Ponti

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2014 Oreno pours from this heavy glass bottle with a beautifully saturated color and dense consistency. You know this is an important wine just by looking at it. The bouquet reveals compelling aromas of dark fruit, Indian spice, pressed rose, leather and tobacco. The delivery is seamless and intense. Only in the mouth does this wine show some of the shortcomings of the cooler 2014 vintage. Compared to past editions, this wine is slightly shorter in terms of persistence and there is a point of leanness on the mid-palate. That said, it should continue its evolution over the next decade.

The big news from Antonio Moretti's Tenuta Sette Ponti is the introduction of a new wine. It is a pure expression of Sangiovese called Vigna dell'Impero and the results are very impressive. It's also worth noting that the wine carries the Valdarno di Sopra (also spelled Val d'Arno di Sopra) appellation. This new wine signals the estate's adherence to the winemaking philosophy behind this up-and-coming wine region. Vigna dell'Impero is an old vineyard with vines planted as far back as 1935. It's name recalls Italy's colonial ambitions, during the mid-1930s, in the horn of Africa in what is today Ethiopia.

Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of minerals. Full body, very fine tannins with orange peel and currant character. Chewy yet polished tannins. Better in 2018 but already delicious. Impressive for the difficult 2014 vintage.

Shows richness and density, with cherry, plum, tobacco and earth flavors. Muscular tannins offer support, but this pulls together and shows character. Long, spicy finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2018 through 2024.