Castagna, La Chiave, Sangiovese 2009

Beechworth, Australia 

The 2008 release is the best of the line so far, in pure quality terms, but for personal preference this 2009 is my favourite of them.

I love a chatty wine and this one has a lot to say. It doesn’t have a loose tongue – it’s both controlled and impeccably well balanced – but its flavours keep you spellbound. Leather, animale, tilled black earth, meat and dried cherries. Of course there are (dried) herbal notes and that smoky, deli-meat character so common (and beloved) in Castagna reds. It’s not a big wine – it’s almost light – but it has power and length. Creamy/smoky oak adds both texture and spunk. It’s a ripping drink.

Rated : 95 Points

Credit: Campbell Mattinson