Magari, Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) 2018

The 2018 Magari is quite deceptive in its first impression. Translucent and medium in body, Magari opens to reveal lovely brightness and persistence that gives the wine shape. Sweet dark berry fruit, spice, tobacco, cedar and licorice are nicely woven throughout. Quite simply, the 2018 Magari is one of the classiest wines I can remember tasting from Ca’ Marcanda. It is not an obvious wine, but it sure is enticing.

A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Magari shows grace and a slightly lighter style that works very nicely. With the recent releases from Bolgheri, many from the hot and concentrated 2017 vintage, this 2018 alternative comes as an elegant surprise. You can appreciate the purity of the fruit, with dark cherry and plum, and the acidity that pops up on the finish. This is almost a full-bodied red, but not quite. It holds back just a hair, and that more careful approach goes a long way to the pleasure factor.