The One Eyed Dog

My investigation has turned up nil.   My intuition tells me there's a one eyed dog named Ciclope (Cyclops) that patrols the Candialle Estate; gross as that seems,  though I've no evidence of that.  

 

Candialle is a tiny estate, 12 hectares under vine, at the end of the Conca d'Oro valley near Panzano.  Vittorio Fiore is in charge of the vineyards and tends them impeccably in some of the best territory for grapes in all of Tuscany. 

 

The 2007 Candialle Ciclope is the estate's Super Tuscan blend.   Comprised of 50% Merlot, 40% Sangiovese, and 5% each of Syrah and Petit Verdot the wine is deep, black purple in the glass with nary a trace of fading toward the rim.  Lost from prominence at the moment is any aromatic or tactile impression from the Sangiovese.  On the nose, the wine exhibits freshly crushed ripe black plum and berry fruit with slight mocha and herbal minerals.  On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, with black plum fruit, smoke and a hint of vanilla.  Well balanced, and with only moderate tannins, it's an easy wine to drink now.  Although internationally styled, there's enough acid here to give the wine identity.  I've no idea what will become of this with bottle age. Experience tells me that the Sangiovese will assert itself more and I think that will make the wine all the more intriguing.  89 points. Estimated retail, about $20.  This was $45 from a restaurant wine list and given the wine'ss style and approachability, it seems well suited to that venue.



Cyclops: 50% Merlot, 40% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot

You can(e) learn more about Candialle here:  Azienda Candialle