Pasqua Mai Dire Mai

This powerfully structured red opens with aromas of French oak, cedar, leather and cassis. The firm, full-bodied palate delivers steeped prune, coconut, grilled herbs and licorice alongside assertive, fine-grained tannins. It closes on a roasted coffee bean note. Drink 2022–2027. Kerin O’Keefe

This wine, named 'Never Say Never' in Italian, could reflect its long hang time before picking, and its longer time resting in barrel and bottle prior to release. This comes from the 23 ha Montevegro vineyard, at 350m and basalt and calcareous soils, between the Val d'Illasi and the Val di Mezzane. After the super ripe grapes are picked, they are left to dry in crates for 4 months to dehydrate, and concentrate. After pressing and fermentation in steel, this was moved to all new French oak barrels (70% 225L barriques and 30% in 500L tonneaux) for 2 years. Super rich and powerful in heft, fruit, density, and alcohol, with thick blackberry, cassis, tobacco, mocha, and wood on the palate. Tannins are ample and sticky, and the palate is plumped and dense, drawing this massive, intense wine to a very warming, drying finish.