Tasting notes:

In 1935, Prince Amedeo of SavoyAosta, Viceroy of Ethiopia, planted vineyards on his property between Florence and Arezzo. Called ‘Vigna dell’Impero’, the vineyard was planted to an ancient Sangiovese clone, which is the only one of its kind. Twenty years later, architect Alberto Moretti Cuseri acquired 55ha from the prince’s daughters and planted other vineyards. In the 1990s, Alberto’s son, Antonio, decided to produce his own wine and Tenuta Sette Ponti was born. Vigna dell’Impero comes from the marl soils of that first 3ha vineyard. Quite deep ruby-garnet in colour, the wine shows dried cherries and red plum fruit, plus undertones of tobacco, earth, leather, black tea and cocoa, with accents of orange zest and rose petal. Showing some maturity, the palate is well-balanced, and has bracing acidity and well-integrated linen-textured tannins supporting the flavours. Good typicity and a delicious drink now. Would taste well with beef Wellington. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)