2018 Tenuta Sette Cieli, Scipio, Toscana IGT

The Tenuta Sette Cieli 2018 Scipio is a pure expression of Cabernet Franc from a breezy high-elevation vineyard that is outside the appellation (that’s why this is an IGT Toscana wine). But elevation makes all the difference when making wine on the Tuscan coast, and this expression is focused and linear as a result. There is dark fruit and spice, thanks to 15 months in oak, and elegant tannins. Some 11,000 bottles were produced.

The 2018 Scipio (Cabernet Franc) is wonderfully energetic and perfumed. Crushed flowers, mocha, tobacco, cedar and worn-in leather meld into a core of dark-toned fruit. In 2018, Scipio is on the more delicate side of things, but it all works well.

Full bottle 1,292 g. 100% Cabernet Franc. Bottle number 2,605 of 10,509. Rich, almost treacly redcurrant fruit and coffee. Big, broad-shafted tannins, but ripe and well-flexed. The glossy richness of the palate deepens and builds: dates and figs and fine dried-herbs seam. Rich and dark and sweet but the finish is peppery fresh. A wine with iron power under the hedonism. (TC)