2019 Costa Toscana IGT Merlot, Tuscany, Italy

Smoky, tobaccoy, earthy and a little junipery scent of ripe black berries with slightly meaty-animalic tones, minty herbal notes, paprika and a hint of soot. Ripe, quite firm, sweetly juicy, warm fruit, some toasty, tobacco and again slightly sooty wood, crumbly-sandy tannin, noticeable alcohol, cooling minty-ethereal hints in the background, a little smoke, some depth, still undeveloped, very good, tight and juicy finish with bitter-chocolate tones and again warm and at the same time cooling elements.

Best to drink: 2024-2035+. What our ratings mean