Petra Hebo Toscana 2024

The Maremma, that breezy stretch of Tuscan coast, is where Bordeaux grapes seem to find their stride. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot take the lead here, with a splash of Sangiovese to remind you you're still in Italy. It spends a year in used oak barrels, enough to round things out without drowning the fruit. What you get is dark cherry and plum, a hint of herbs, supple tannins and a savoury, moreish finish. Stylish without showing off, it's a pretty neat snapshot of contemporary Tuscan winemaking without getting too pricey.

Serve with roast lamb or mushroom-rich dishes: the fresh fruit and gentle tannins balance the savoury depth nicely.

Petra started in 1997 by Vittorio Moretti is one of those Tuscan estates that show how well Bordeaux's Cabernets and Merlot can play rather nicely with Sangiovese. The Maremma's iron-rich soils, blazing summers and sea breezes certainly give them a head start, which explains why these blends have become such a phenomenon. Petra's wines sit squarely in the Super-Tuscan camp - ripe and polished, yet fresh and refreshing. As for the Mario Botta designed winery, a great cylindrical bunker sunk into the hillside, it's as subtle as a Roman triumphal arch, but happily the wines easily live up to the brashness.