Villa Icona Sangiovese 2007

Tasting note
Colour - Deep blackish ruby.

Aroma - Rich plum and cherry notes with hints of spice.

Taste - Dark cherry and plum notes, wrapped in gentle spice from the oak and the ripeness of the fruit.

	Type:Still Red Wine		Country:Italy		Appellation:Marche IGT
	Grape Type:Sangiovese		Drink Before:End of 2010		Body:Medium Bodied
	Alcohol:12%		Bottle Size:75cl		Bottle Code:60865

Description
Decanter Magazine wrote "Over the past decade, the improvement in wines from the Marches has been extraordinary". Unlike many other parts of Italy, growers and cellars have not been seduced away by international varieties, but have stuck to their main trio of indigenous grapes - Verdicchio, Sangiovese and Montepulciano - with a tiny amount of Lacrima too.

Although red grapes make up 85% of the vineyards, the region is best known for its white wines made from Verdicchio, one of Italy's most characterful varieties that ages surprisingly well (we're talking two to three years though, not decades). It makes a surprisingly wide range of styles - from dry and sparkling, to fresh and crisp, to oak-aged Riservas, even a sweet version.

The Marches' red wines have also made great strides in the last few years and provide a great value alternative to next door Tuscany's Chianti, or indeed the Montepulicanos of Abruzzo just to the south.

Villa Icona is from the remarkable Moncaro cellar, one of the most highly regarded in the region and winners of numerous awards, including Red Wine of the Year for an earlier vintage of this red.

The wine is largely made from Italy's best known and most widely planted red grape, Sangiovese, grown on hillside vineyards. A little Montepulciano adds smooth plummy notes, while brief ageing in barrel adds a little extra complexity, without being overly oaky.

Villa Icona Sangiovese 2007 is available in the following cases: