Vinicola Arno, Leone 2019 – Nizza Riserva

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose offers depth and complexity: it combines tertiary notes (undergrowth, wet leaves, dried rose, a very delicate note of mushrooms in the background), spiciness (nutmeg, clove, fresh licorice, ground cumin), hints of fresh tobacco and dried mint with fruity and fresh aromas (wild strawberry, juicy red cherry, morello cherry, crushed raspberry, fresh blackcurrant), as well as a delicate floral bouquet (cornflower, peony) and a touch of chocolate. The palate is chiseled, tangy and rather tight. The tannins are firm, slightly grainy and need time to mellow. We find the flavors of tangy crushed blackcurrant, sharp red cherry, morello cherry, raspberry, red currant, as well as wild mint, cut rosemary, licorice, cumin, clove, blueberry and violet, with a fine touch of fresh tobacco and undergrowth in the background. The acidity is lively and salivating. It brings freshness to the wine and softens the slightly dry tannic side on the finish. Good length, sapidity and a nice tannic structure, but the wine needs time to open up.