This wine definitely took me by surprise. I did not expect the density or the richness that you get with the 2017 Sangiovese from Italy's tiny Molise region. This hot-vintage expression of a grape planted across central Italy (mostly in the Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions) offers unique concentration and darkness here in Southern Italy. From afar, it could be mistaken for a Cabernet or a Merlot. The aromas are also atypical. Here, you get stronger elements of black cherry, spice and pencil shavings. This mid-weight wine delivers terrific value. Some 350,000 bottles were made.