Tasting notes:

Established by the Gherardini family, the estate has been producing wine since at least 1404. Today, Vignamaggio is owned by Italian architect Patrice Taravella and his interior designer wife Emmanuelle Sebillet, who are restoring the original buildings. Organically-farmed and biodiverse, the property has orchards, olive trees and wild boar, as well as vineyards. This Merlot is as layered as the estate. Deep ruby-hued, the wine belies its age, displaying ripe blackberry, blueberry and Victoria plum fruit, overlaid with smoke and spice from wood ageing, and including an intriguing sweet red pepper, and slightly herbal accent. There is great structure of crisp acidity and linen tannins to balance the flavours. An excellent pairing for pumpkin gnocchi, or wild boar sausage in the heart of Chianti Classico. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)