Vinicola Arno, Leone 2020 – Nizza Riserva

The wine has a medium-intensity ruby ​​color. The first nose is aromatic and flavorful, with expressive and gourmand herbaceous notes of roasted thyme and rosemary, which are complemented after aeration by aromas of fresh bay leaf, crushed peppermint, even sage (a pleasant Mediterranean hint to the nose). The second nose also finds density and depth of fruit matter – notably the aromas of crushed morello cherry, roasted red cherry, fresh blackcurrant, blackberry, wild strawberry, roasted raspberry, combined with touches of mint chocolate, fresh hazelnut, toasted hazelnut, as well as liquorice (even star anise), Sichuan pepper and nutmeg and a very subtle touch of peony in the background. The palate is juicy, airy, fruity and tangy. On the attack, we find fresh notes of sour cherry, morellocherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, strawberry and crushed raspberry, combined with a fine herbaceous hint (less expressive than on the nose) – notes of bay leaf, crushed mint and fresh rosemary, as well as touches of roasting (toasted hazelnut, the good bitterness of cocoa and coffee) and sweet spices (licorice, vanilla in the background, Sichuan pepper, nutmeg). The tannins are finely tight, but not drying, with a solid structure and a fine grain. Beautiful salivating acidity, a tangy fruit side (bigarreaucherry, cranberries) on the persistence. Good length.