2017 Villa Simone Lazio La Torraccia

The 2017 La Torraccia from Villa Simone is a mature and characterful expression of the volcanic hills of the Castelli Romani, showing an attractive evolution in bottle while retaining the warmth and Mediterranean personality of its origins. The grape is Cesanese that is an indigenous grape of that area

Appearance: Deep ruby red moving toward garnet at the rim, showing the first signs of mature evolution while maintaining good concentration and brightness.

Nose: Complex and well developed. Ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry emerge first, gradually giving way to notes of dried red fruit, violet, Mediterranean herbs and liquorice. Bottle age introduces attractive tertiary nuances of tobacco leaf, leather, forest floor and cocoa, complemented by gentle sweet spices and a subtle balsamic character.

Palate: Dry and generous, with a medium-plus body and a pleasing balance between mature fruit, freshness and structure. Dark cherry and plum return on the palate, accompanied by dried herbs, liquorice and spice. The tannins, once more assertive, have softened considerably with age and now provide a fine-grained framework. A savory, slightly earthy component gives the wine additional complexity and keeps its natural warmth from becoming excessive.

Finish: Persistent and harmonious, with lingering impressions of dried cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, herbs and sweet spice, ending on an appealing savory note.

Overall impression: At almost a decade from the vintage, the 2017 La Torraccia is entering a particularly enjoyable stage of maturity. It is no longer driven primarily by fresh fruit; instead, its appeal lies in the interplay between mature fruit, tertiary complexity, softened tannins and Mediterranean savoriness. A wine with personality and a clear sense of place rather than sheer power.

Serving: 17–18°C. I would open it 30–45 minutes before serving, but avoid prolonged decanting because of its age