Deep, dark and sensual, the 2016 Tenuta San Leonardo lifts from the glass with an alluring mix of crushed blackberry and plum. With time it blossoms further to reveal tobacco, brown spice, white smoke and peppery florals. It's velvety and wonderfully textural, yet also energized by a complex mix of stimulating acids and minerals, giving life to ripe fruits, as youthful tannins slowly clamp down. The finish is incredibly long and structured. There’s energy and verve, mixing black raspberry with hints of licorice under an air of purple-tinged flowers. The 2016 has a lot to like, quite primary today but a year away from release. This early preview, which has been bottled for a year now, is full of potential. Very nice!

A very elegant, classic Bordeaux blend in the Italian context, but this is actually a special wine in any context, thanks to its subtlety and aromatic complexity. Blackcurrant, black-cherry and mint notes with just a hint of red bell pepper. Finely etched, medium-bodied palate with crisp tannins and lively acidity. The elegant tannins carry the long, cool finish. Drinkable now, but better from 2023.

A lovely beam of black currant and fig cake flavors play off savory bay leaf and olive tapenade notes in this elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, which is fresh and focused, with good tension from a core of sculpted tannins. Long and fragrant on the creamy, mineral- and spice-laced finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. Drink now through 2036. 5,900 cases made, 650 cases imported.

This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère with fruit contributions from across the estate vineyard holdings. The well-priced 2016 Terre di San Leonardo is a terrific sounding board not only for the vintage and its classic lines but also for the unique San Leonardo territory and microclimate at the Adige River bed between mountain peaks. The wine opens to a medium-light appearance with dark garnet highlights. The aromas are delicate and soft, with a lot of blue flower and wild rose. A refreshing layer of forest berry and cassis come next, and the bouquet finishes up with mulling spice and smoke. There is a point of sour cherry or cranberry on the finish. This is a large production, with 95,000 bottles.