Recanati Marselan Reserve 2017

The 2017 Marselan Reserve was aged for ten months in 40% new French oak and comes in at 14% alcohol. This isn't ever the deepest of the reds from Recanati, and it is not this year, but it is always one of the most flavorful. The structure and acidity are superb as well. In this warm year, this is still fresh and bright, with wonderfully lifted fruit. The cherries and raspberries dribble across the palate, always with crispness and not a trace of jam. It is all about mid-palate finesse—seeming delicate without ever seeming thin. The intensity of flavor is superb, but don't forget that beautiful structure. It finishes a touch tart and with some tannic pop. With aeration, it acquires some gravitas to go with the big flavor. Some will love this for the flavor, some for the freshness, some for the refinement and others for the general structure. It covers a lot of bases and should make lots of different types of drinkers happy. In very warm weather, you might do well drinking this a few degrees cooler than normal.