Fabbrica di San Martino Rosso Riserva 2017

Rosso Riserva is Fabbrica di San Martino's reserve expression of 100% Sangiovese from Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. Traditional and pure, this is medium-bodied with notes of black cherry, red fruits, balsamic, and forest floor. From vines planted from cuttings in 2000, all the grapes are destemmed and then spend a week on skins before being aged in large old oak casks for a year and then three in bottle before being released.

Fabbrica di San Martino is located in Lucca, Tuscany, not far from the coast. Fabbrica was founded in 1735, making it one of the region's historic estates. Beppe Ferrua, without any formal training, began farming the vines here several decades ago. Beppe learnt by working alongside and carefully watching the locals who had looked after the land for many years.

The property itself is a total of 20 hectares but with just 2.5 of those dedicated to vines. The farming here is biodynamic and the land has never been subject to chemicals. In the farm's small winery, Beppe does the simple things well, producing decidedly old-fashioned wines that are full of character and express the place.

What you get is traditional, pure Sangiovese with black cherry, red fruits, balsamic notes, and forest floor complexity. The extended aging – one year in large old oak casks followed by three years in bottle before release – gives the wine time to develop and integrate, showing the patience and traditional approach that defines this estate. The Riserva designation reflects the extra care and aging that goes into this wine. The proximity to the coast brings freshness and salinity that sets these wines apart from inland Tuscan Sangiovese.

Serve it at room temperature with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, pasta with tomato sauce, game, or aged cheeses. This is honest, old-fashioned Tuscan wine from a historic estate committed to biodynamic farming and traditional winemaking, perfect for those looking for something with real character and soul.