2006 - San Leonardo

The 2006 San Leonardo is a masterpiece in the making. This is a dark, alluring and seductive vintage, richly displaying crushed black cherry and plum, offset by exotic sweet spices, tobacco and dried florals. It's textural depths tempt the imagination, giving way to ripe blackberries with a subtle citrus twang, complemented by stimulating minerality and juicy acids. An air of savory herbs develops over a coating of fine tannin. The long, and I mean long finale, balances youthful structure with persistent inner perfumes and primary fruit. The 2006 is like a well-muscled stallion. While still very early in its evolution, there’s no harm in checking on it now, but the best is yet to come.

From yet another great vintage, the 2006 San Leonardo exudes elegance and sophistication. A slightly cooler summer season helped to cement the wine's aromatic complexity and the fresh sense of acidity that lends so much energy and vitality to this wine. This is a great vintage that has only begun to find its true voice. It needs more time in the cellar to complete its evolution. Dark fruit nuances with thick concentration and velvety tannins segue to drying mineral notes and more cherry brightness. I'd suggest another ten years of cellar aging. But you could also opt to drink the wine sooner with prolonged decanting (of four hours or more).

Dark ruby. Fresh and elegant with marked acidity. A real thoroughbred. Lovely smooth tannins and delicacy. (JR)