Tasting notes:

The Riccardi family, Florentine bankers for the Medici, were the second owners of Villa Saletta in the 16th and 17th centuries. This wine, named after the Riccardi family, comes from a 2ha vineyard with mixed soils of clay, mineral deposits, sandstone and marl, giving the wine a slightly earthy character. Aged in second- and third-fill oak barrels and new Slovenian oak barrels, the wine shows smoky and cigar-ash undertones behind the cranberry, cherry and chinotto fruit, with a gentle rose petal lift. Medium bodied, the palate flavours are supported by lively acidity and linen-textured tannins. Well-defined and nicely integrated, this elegant wine will be a good pairing for guinea fowl roasted with rosemary, orange blossom honey and toasted pine nuts.  (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)