Pizzini are currently selling some back vintages of their Sangiovese (2002, 2003, 2006). It’s a good opportunity to see how the efforts of one of the grape’s pioneers in Australia have stood up to time. At ten years of age this 2002 is right in the zone.
It smells of leather, dried herbs, cherries, orange juice, earth and sun-dried tomatoes. The entire experience is rooted in a rustic layer of tar. Everything has come together beautifully on the palate. Cohesive and harmonious with gentle acidity and a bit of chewy, nutty tannin remaining to provide flow and form. It’s mostly savoury but sweeter red fruit is still apparent. I probably wouldn’t go any longer on it – I like where it sits now and I’m happy with the degree to which the wine has developed and the extent to which the structure has resolved. Good – Very Good
Region: King Valley
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Price: $25
Tasted: June 2012