Sapaio Bolgheri DOC 2016 Sapaio

The 2016 Sapaio shows abundant dark chocolate and spice all balanced out by the rich sweetness of the fruit. Blackberry, plum and dark currant emerge from the bouquet. The harvest required that much of the fruit for this wine come from vineyards in Bibbona (outside the Bolgheri appellation), and that's why this wine is classified as a Toscana IGT. The results are well-balanced, fragrant and absolutely seamless. Some 20,000 bottles were made.

The ever-generous Massimo Piccin surprised me with a full vertical of his two wines, Volpolo and Sapaio, that he has been making since 2004 with the assistance of winemakers Carlo Ferrini and Alessandro Nannelli. Although these two wines have seen changes to their appellation status and the grapes used in the blend over the years, they are today: the lower-end Volpolo (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot) and the top-shelf Sapaio (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc). This estate counts 16 hectares of vines in Bolgheri, with a mix of limestone clay and sandy soils located just a few meters above sea level. The estate also farms nine hectares in the neighboring Bibbona province (that is outside the Bolgheri appellation lines).

This is so vivid and polished on the nose, showing blackcurrant, blueberry and lavender aromas that follow through to a full body, firm and very silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Needs two or three years to start coming together, but already gorgeous to taste.