The 2011 Redigaffi (one of Italy’s iconic Merlots) is a little shy at first and needs a few extra minutes to warm in the glass. Once it does, it bursts open with sweet fruit, blackberry, dark leather and Oriental spice. The wine is beautifully balanced and enormously expressive. It hits the high notes and the low ones with tip-top precision. I loved the purity of the sweet tobacco and crushed white pepper you get on the seductively long finish. It’s a baby now, and needs more aging time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.