2015 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco [JS98][WE98][WA95][WS95][V94][D92]

Producer: Castello dei Rampolla  
Region: Tuscany, Italy 
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Sangiovese 
Year: 2015 

James Suckling, 98 Points 

"I love the meatiness to this wine, but also the purity of fruit; think charcuterie, prosciutto, bay leaf, capsicum, blueberries, blackcurrants and crushed stones. You just can’t get over the way this manages to deliver a powerful, muscular package with stunning finesse and poise. The tapestry of intricate texture and detail is wrought in a flashy but sincere and heartwarming style. The balance takes your breath away. Best ever from here." 

Wine Enthusiast, 98 Points 

"Sunbaked earth, mature blackplum, fragrant blue-flower and leather aromas mingle with balsamic whiffs of camphor on this fullbodied, delicious red. Made with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese, the creamy palate is earthy and full of flavor, boasting juicy blackberry, raspberry, dried mint, cocoa and licorice. Taut velvety tannins provide plenty of support and finesse. *Cellar Selection*" 

Wine Advocate, 95 Points 

"The 2015 Sammarco (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese) shines the brightest spotlight onto the Cabernet Sauvignon element, and you can immediately make out the distinctive sharpness and structure of that variety. The bouquet offers notes of black fruit, toasted spice and grilled herb, along with wild flower, terracotta and tilled earth. There is some spice on the close, and the tannins do leave their mark with youthful astringency. Give the wine some time in the cellar, and one day it will be fantastic with a tagliatelle and porcini." 

Wine Spectator, 95 Points 

"This is dense and muscular, revealing a tightly wound matrix of black cherry, blackberry, iron, earth and tobacco flavors. Balsamic elements of wild juniper and rosemary emerge as this extends on the finish. Though gripping, this is also very pure, fresh and balanced." 

Vinous, 94 Points 

"The 2015 Sammarco is a wine of exquisite and total finesse. Understated and nuanced, as few wines are in 2015, Sammarco is sublime. Wild flowers, cedar, spice, leather and mint give the 2015 striking aromatic dimension. On the palate, the 2015 is subtle and classy. In 2015, the Merlot crop was a bit higher than normal as newer plantings entered production, and that is reflected in the blend here as well. Because of that, the 2015 is an unusually open, forthcoming Sammarco. In fact, I can't remember tasting a young Sammarco with this much early appeal. I can't wait to see how it ages." 

Decanter,  92 Points 

"Wild nose, spicy with gamey notes, summer fruit and plums. Delicious with a juicy intensity, very polished, ripe and charming." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.