2022 The Pawn Sangiovese was fermented in a small open top fermenter allowing for maximum extraction of colour and flavour. Partial whole berry fermentation (due to the small berry size of the Piccolo clone), allows for greater complexity and palate weight in finished wine. The wild small batch ferment was initially allowed to go hot, then cooled towards the tail end of fermentation to stabilise colour and tannin. The wine was pressed straight to mature French and American large format oak for 9 months prior to bottling.
Deep ruby and purple in a glass that shows lifts of blue fruits, rose petals and crushed terracotta. Medium to full bodied, crushed black fruits wash around the palate with exuberance but there’s ample firm gravelly tannins to counter it. That all builds tension, ensuring good length and precision at the finish. More time will see more savoury complexity develop. - 92 points, Stuart Knox
