PAVONE 2014 - AZIENDA AGRICOLA SAN GABRIELE ARCANGELO

2014 was an unexpectedly excellent vintage for the reds of Tuscany. Low temperatures and in some cases hailstorms during July and August didn't bode well for the vintage, but the following exceptional 2 months turned a potentially disastrous vintage into a surprisingly good one. This particularly favored Sangiovese, the flagship variety of the region which ripens later than the rest of the area. It acquired unique complexity, concentration and solid tannic structure, while maintaining its lively acidity.

Our favorite Greek producer outside Greece, the exuberant Stavros Tsoukas, also known as «il Greco», returned with a magnificent new vintage of this Big Red! In Italy and almost all over the world, the peacock is the symbol of pride and beauty. And if you hear him talking about it, you will certainly understand that Pavone 2014 of Azienda Agricola San Gabriele Arcangelo Stavros Tsoukas is the wine he is really proud of.

Its second vintage is 2014! A great vintage, exceptional grapes and people with an appetite for experimentation and creativity all gathered in one place: a small boutique winery in the Cinigiano Montecucco region in Tuscany. The organic and biodynamic cultivation allowed the vine to express the dynamic varietal undistracted. The fermentation happened spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, without use of commercial ones. it remained two years in new French oak barrels made by the Mittelberger family of South Tyrol, with the barrel maker himself regularly monitoring the progress of the wine. It was bottled unfiltered using minimal amounts of sulfur during the whole procedure, so it is considered among natural wines.

With the fruit causing successive explosions on the palate and with over the roof complexity, the middle brother of Cuccuvaia and Kokoras, the Pavone (Peacock) 2014 is one of the biggest wines by Greeks winemakers abroad and one of the greatest reds we've had.

Thank you Stavros ...

Intense ruby ​​color in the glass.

Impressively complex nose which keeps evolving while breathing. Red fruits, cherry, ripe strawberry and plum set the tone initially, followed by black currant. While it evolves, earthy notes of fresh soil and mushroom come into the spotlight, combined with herbal hints of oregano and rosemary. Dried violets and bitter chocolate are complemented by red pepper, allspice and a slight hint of cinnamon at the end.

Medium volume body, complex and perfectly balanced. Cherry and plum attack on the palate followed by dark chocolate, oregano and allspice. The well-structured tannins are juicy, rounded and together with the lively acidity, keep the palate alert all through the sip. The long finish leaves the mouth full of fruit dipped in chocolate and pepper.