2017 Pakravan-Papi - Toscana Rosso IGT Campo del Pari (750ml)

Amineh Pakravan, an Iranian medievalist, and Enzo Papi, a Tuscan former Fiat executive, met in Florence in 1966 while volunteering after the Arno flood, and decades later chose to build a winery together in the hills above Riparbella, in Tuscany's northern Maremma. Starting in 2000 they revived old vineyard land on the estate, working with enologist Graziana Grassini to craft wines built around both native Sangiovese and Bordeaux varieties.

Campo del Pari takes its name from a small, flat clos at the top of the estate's hill, planted mostly to Merlot with a smaller share of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the exact proportions shifting slightly from year to year. Grapes from the plot are hand harvested and fermented separately under carefully controlled temperature and timing, then aged through a mix of new and once used barriques before a brief stabilizing rest in cement ahead of bottling.

The wine is elegant and powerful, opening with the spiced, balsamic aromas typical of ripe Merlot layered over dark berry fruit. The palate is rich and stratified, turning soft and velvety with air. It closes on a long, smooth finish, the tannins fully resolved after years of bottle age.