The 2019 'San Valentino' is remarkably poised, striking the classic Bea balance between wild and refined, powerfully elegant. A blend of 40% Sagrantino, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulicano, it spent a lengthy 52 days macerating on its skins — yet expertly avoids presenting as overly tannic. Fermented and aged two years in steel, it then was transferred to large Slavonian casks for two additional years. Sagrantino even in such a small proportion dominates the nose — providing the luscious blue and black fruit, crisp cassis, turned earth, and wintry notes — though the Sangiovese is close behind, with a smoky sanguine note and a plethora of woodsy and exotic spices. Giampiero’s refusal to regulate temperature and his predilection for long aging and minimal sulfur means that his wines sometimes walk the tightrope when it comes to volatile acidity — though only very rarely do they fall off. Indeed, this displays the barest trace, and one that complements the wine’s density remarkably well.