Pizzini Pietra Rosa Sangiovese 2014

Pizzini now have a whole suite of different Sangiovese-based wines in the portfolio, making them one of the few Australian wineries to really push out the Sangio train (along with Coriole). It has always seemed strange that we have so few good Australian Sangiovese – is it that hard to get right?

Pietra Rosa = red earth, and this tastes every bit the earthen Sangiovese. It’s earthy and secondary, with vanilla oak the only real sweet bit alongside baked tomato and red berry fruit. Authentic Sangio, no doubt. Just a bit drying around the edges, but if you’ve had a few rustic Rosso di Montalcino you’ll like this. Best drinking: 2018-2024. 17/20, 90/100. 13.5%, $28. Would I buy it? I’d go a glass.