A mix of dusty ashen stone, black currants and hints of animal musk lifts up from the darkly alluring 2019 Perricone Core. This fills the palate with pliant, soft textures complemented by juicy notes of blackberry and inner lavender tones. It remains energetic and fruit-focused even as youthful grippy tannins settle in through the long finale, where hints of licorice and blueberry skins resonate. The Core does an excellent job of integrating the gruff Perricone tannins that often make this variety bitter and difficult to enjoy in its youth. Well done.

It’s bursting with vivid aromas of smoky blackberry, wild herbs and liquorice. The palate is full of vibrant acidity and creamy vanilla flavours, interwoven with blackberries and brambles against a sappy, green-herb background, tannins round and nicely integrated. It’s one of the best examples of Perricone I know