Candialle, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2013

Candialle is a 35ha estate located south of Panzano, with 11.5ha devoted to vines. Finnish winemaker Jarkko Peränen worked with a small producer in Chianti Classico for five years before purchasing Candialle in 2002. Sangiovese dominates the vineyard, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malvasia Nera, Petit Verdot and Canaiolo also planted. Candialle belongs to the local Unione Viticoltori di Panzano, a sustainable winegrowing initiative that aims to make Panzano the first organic viticultural region in Italy. Andrea Briccarello: Slightly animal on the nose, with leather and sweet tobacco layers. It's very intense and structured on the palate, with delicate violets and red flowers peeping through. The tannins are rounded and there are plenty of juicy cherries on the mid-palate. Susan Hulme MW: Broad, round and spicy red-fruit aromas with perfumed cherry underneath. It has a super-subtle first impression, with silky, seamless texture and weight marking this out as a special wine. There's lovely ease and flow across the palate. Andrew Jefford: Sweet, warm, floaty fruit aromas tease with their ripeness. On the palate it is delicate and pure, with beautifully sculpted Sangiovese fruit showing freshness, depth, cut and class. Excellent.