2013 L´Apparita IGT Toscana Castello di Ama

A gorgeous red with blackberry, cherry and blueberry character throughout. Medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Vigorous and vibrant. Gorgeous pure merlot as always. Built for aging but pretty to drink now.

One of Italy's most celebrated Merlots, the 2013 L'Apparita is a soft and luscious expression with dark fruit, baking spice, hickory smoke and aged mahogany. The wine does show some nagging unripe flavors of green herb or peppercorn at the back that prevent me from being as enthusiast as I was with the 2010 and the 2011 vintages. That impression is backed by a spot of sourness that you taste on the finish. I'm sure it will improve with age, but I doubt that bitter note will ever fully disappear.

The highlight in this range, the 2013 L'Apparita is a real stunner. Deep, explosive and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2013 possesses stunning nuance. This is an especially restrained Apparita built more on finesse than power. The translucence and total sense of elegance here are both truly remarkable. In short, this is a memorable edition for one of Tuscany's very finest wines. Layers of rich, dark fruit, spice, leather and smoke infuse the creamy, voluptuous finish. The oak needs to settle down.

Dense, with a tightly woven matrix supporting black cherry, plum, black pepper, tobacco and mineral flavors. All the components are there, but this needs time to absorb the firm, muscular tannins. Fine length. Merlot. Best from 2018 through 2030.