Gaja Ca`Marcanda, Magari, 2020

Gaja Ca’Marcanda Magari is one of three wines made at the Ca’Marcanda estate, which sits between the Promis and Ca`Marcanda wines. The property is located in the Maremma region in southern Tuscany and is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grown on both the rich, dark loam clay soils and the white soils composed of limestone, clay and stones. It was first released in 2000, and `magari` translates as `if only it were true!`, an expression used often in Italian to express desire, hope, and a vision of a bright future!

The 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Magari is Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, with the Franc in a leading position at 60% to 65%. Born in a vintage that saw plenty of sunshine and luminosity from the Tyrrhenian Sea just a few kilometers away, this edition of Magari is especially round, voluminous and fleshed out. The 2020 vintage is considered quite toasty elsewhere in Tuscany, but in fact was more contained here along the Tuscan Coast thanks to steep diurnal shifts between day and nighttime temperatures and a cool spring. The year also saw enough rain at the right moments to assure stress-free fruit ripening. The wine opens to dark blackberry and sweet spice, with a very polished and silky side to robust fruit concentration. Drink 2022-2035. 94/100 points. Monica Larner (The Wine Advocate)

A polished red with lovely drinkability already, showing redcurrant and fresh-herb character. Some sandalwood, too. Medium-bodied with medium, firm tannins and a crisp and clean finish. Drink or hold. 92/100 points. James Suckling