Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese 2024

SPECIA VALUE - Mark Walpole loves sangiovese and the feeling is reciprocated. This is a mighty strong follow-up to the '23, fairly bristling in cherry-fruited and aromatic brightness and crunch in youth, with an underlying brooding quality that says, 'just wait.' A smidge (5%) of the Tuscan colorino red grape adds to the iridescence of the cherry red, bright hues. Aromas rise in wild raspberries, red cherries, plum, florals, cumin, fennel seed, red earth and spice. The palate is nicely weighted, with brisk acid crunch, and is both upbeat and alive in spiced cherry, red fruits and an underlying savouriness of Campari, dried herbs, licorice and mineral earthiness. Potential? You bet! (96) JAMES HALLIDAY'S WINE COMPANION

Has plenty of Sangiovese character, with red cherry and strawberry, a little lemon zest and dried herb, almond, a nutty and rosy perfume. It's medium-bodied, quite sappy and lively, a little grainy grip to tannin, juicy red fruits, again that lightly nutty thing, with a bright finish of good length. Excellent wine. A great food style too. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front