This 100% Sangiovese is a beautiful inky-dark purple, like a perfect Italian Chianti. It bursts forth with aromas of cherries, basil and earthy clay, promising a rich and satisfying experience: it most certainly delivers. This is not always the case with wines that have a promising nose. Having just returned from judging the 2006 Indy International Competition, I can say that it was with great frequency that I encountered wines of promising aroma, only to be bleakly disappointed by the lack of follow-through on the palate. Not so here. This is a big wine with chewy plums, a hint of sweet cherries; followed by bright acid, roasted sweet sun dried tomatoes, cedar, basil and oregano. The finish is thyme, pepper, and sweet roasted onion, all wrapped in a smooth package of velvety tannins.