James Suckling: 97 Points
Robert Parker: 94 Points
Falstaff: 96 Points

Vinification and maturation: The Ripe al Convento vineyard, from which the Sangiovese grapes come, is located at an altitude of 450 metres above sea level and is characterised by schistose and marlstone soils with a southern exposure. The grapes were harvested by hand, after an initial careful selection in the vineyard. On arrival in the cellar they were subjected to further scrupulous control, with manual sorting of each grape. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with frequent pumping over, especially during the first phases, to obtain a good extraction of the colouring and structural components. The subsequent period of maturation in wood allowed for excellent stability and an increase in aromatic and structural complexity. Ripe al Convento is ready for release 6 years after the harvest and only after further refinement in the bottle.

Tasting notes: Ripe al Convento 2015 has a beautiful intense and brilliant ruby red colour with delicate garnet highlights on the rim. On the nose, it is the fruity notes that open the dances: blueberry, cherry, sour cherry in alcohol. However, the undisputed protagonists are the tertiary scents due to the long ageing process; these notes are perfectly balanced, none overpowering the others. Cinnamon, tobacco, tea leaf, roasted coffee bean and finally a light note of leather are the main descriptors. Elegant spices at the end of the sensory journey: white pepper, clove and cinnamon. The mature and compact tannins, velvety and silky, caress the palate gently and are magnificently integrated into the matrix of the wine. They create a wonderful balance with the acidic-alcoholic component. The finish is extremely long, further demonstrating the greatness of the vintage.