Candialle l’Mastro Toscana IGT 2018

This is an absolutely sensational wine that really starts to reveal its true character with a little time in the glass. It flaunts a beautiful ruby color and youthful appearance despite being from the 2018 vintage. Luckily, the 2018 vintage was phenomenal in Tuscany. This is easily one of the best values you’re going to find in all of Italy.

First, it leads with classic Sangiovese flavors: I’m talking black cherry, macerated plums, and cranberry with a little bit of pepper and smoked meats. But with a few swirls of the glass, it becomes very evident that this is an intense wine, more muscular and textured than you first expect, especially given its bottle age. It’s just so packed with dark, spicy fruit – juicy blackberry, blueberry and black cherry notes complemented by baking spices, I can’t get enough. There’s still some grip to the tannins, but they’re balanced perfectly by vibrant fruit and acidity. That tells me that even though it’s in its drinking prime right now, it still has a few great years ahead. And at this price? Straight up highway robbery.