San Fiorenzo Bolgheri

A real find this: a Merlot/Cabernet blend from the fabled Tuscan region known as Bolgheri. Home to Sassicaia and Ornellaia, which are remarkable wines and both present on my rather impressive dessert island wine rack. However, I could buy 10 of these for a bottle of either of those, and as I'm a poor wine merchant struggling to make ends meet on paltry margins, this is more my bag. And not a fake, Louis Vuitton look-a-like bag, but a wine with real personality that's very comfortable in its own skin.

Back fruit, plum and mint notes waft from the glass. The palate comes across as a bit grippy initially, but softens beautifully on the finish. Lovely, saturated fruit, with a mix of bramble and cassis, with a catchy cedar twist. Bloody great now with a decent ragu, and will continue to improve if you fancy sticking a few bottles away for a few years.