This is a UK exclusive, Sangiovese blend with maturity at an unfathomable price which is utter perfection for drinking this summer. Wines like this are what working in the wine trade is all about - a... small volume of exceptional, mature red wine parcel from an artisanal producer at an incredible price tag. La Palerna sits high at 550-600m right on the Tuscan/Umbrian border. Thankfully for all of us, they are on the Umbrian side of the border and the price reflects this. At this altitude, the wines have a wonderful freshness and elegance. Yields are low, grapes are hand harvested and sorted, and such care and precision are taken in the winemaking which is evident in the quality of the wine. We have visited Bordeaux classified growths and Grand Cru Burgundies who take the same level of care in production. The overriding reason for all of this is perhaps down to winemaker extraordinaire, Mauro Monicchi who has worked across Bordeaux and the South of France, he now oversees winemaking for first class estates across Tuscany, namely Montalcino and Montepulciano. The quality of wines can also be put down to owner Luigi Merendelli's philosophy to produce "only great wines". I can confirm they do just that across the board, but this red is a home run at this price. The wonderful thing about central Italian reds are they are incredibly versatile when pairing with food and can be drunk all year around, indeed these are the wines to open at dinner parties or have at weddings.