The 2021 Siepi, 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It requires a little swirling to unlock bright, pure notes of black cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fragrant soil, followed by hints of black olives, cedar, and Sichuan pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with taut, muscular red and black fruit layers, framed by chewy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and minerally.

The 2021 Siepi is impressive. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and mocha are nicely dialed up. This plush, succulent Sangiovese/Merlot blend is quite the charmer, as it so often is. The 2021 is exceptionally elegant and polished, certainly one of the best editions in recent memory. All that said, my view is that Siepi would benefit from longer aging in wood and or glass, as it is released too early for a wine of its stature and potential.