Ruffino Modus 2012

A blend of sangiovese (50%) and cabernet sauvignon and merlot (25% each), this was aged 12 months in used French and American barriques. It's a dry and full-bodied effort, with dense and well-layered flavours that hold true from attack to a lengthy finish that's dominated by ripe-sweet fruit. The acidity clicks in to add clean freshness to the texture, and the tannins are ripe, grainy, and firm. Drink it now or hold it another year or two, then drink it through to the early 2020s. Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, rodphillipsonwine.com, May 14, 2015)