2022 Tenuta Sette Ponti "Oreno" Toscana

I have always said that Oreno is the smartest buy in the world of "Super Tuscans," but the 2022 vintage marks a fundamental shift in the wine’s identity—and it is a shift that I absolutely love. For the first time, the Moretti family has introduced Cabernet Franc (10%) into the blend, and it changes everything. We often think of 2022 as a warm, generous vintage, and while this wine certainly has that hedonistic, fruit-forward lusciousness, the addition of the Franc brings a "nervous system" to the wine that I haven’t seen before. It cuts through the density of the Merlot (45%) and the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) with this beautiful, high-toned aromatic lift—think graphite, crushed violet, and fresh mint. On the palate, this is texture, texture, texture. It feels like cashmere. The tannins are sweet and polished, but there is a savory, saline snap on the finish that speaks to the clay and fossil-rich soils of the Valdarno. This isn't just a "fruit bomb"; it’s a wine with serious architectural integrity. If you love the power of Bolgheri but want more distinct mineral tension, this is the bottle to own.