Red Wine Tenuta Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso 2020. Decanting optional. Another gem from the winery of Ambrogio & Giocanni Folonari is the Tenuta Campo al Mare, or Camp at the Red Sea. This unique red blend includes grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot all from the estate’s production parcels. Tenuta Campo al Mare is located in the Bolgheri DOC on the west side of Tuscany bordering the Tirrhenian sea where hot, summer days are moderated by the consistent coastal breeze. The vineyards boast rich clay and sandy soils, ideal for Bordeaux grape varieties which make up this internationally acclaimed Super Tuscan. Fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged in oak barrels for 12 months, this is a wine that seems made to drink young and fresh. A breakdown of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, this blend captures a fruity freshness with lingering spice that make it ideal for palates craving a variety of flavors and versatile for a wide number of food pairings. On the nose the wine presents intense dark fruits like blackcurrant and wild blackberries mixed with warm tobacco leaf, sage and a touch of freshly picked mint. The oak seems less impactful here on the nose and palate. Good concentration and well-balanced, the tannins are grippy yet lead the way to a silky finish. Along with a depthness of fruit, the palate is earthy, smoky with a spicy, lingering finish. Deliciously pairs with a variety of meats, cheeses, pastas, and charcuterie.
2020
Red Wine Tenuta Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso 2020
Red Wine Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole 2020. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. The vineyards of Tenuta di Trinoro extend for almost 25 hectares in the suggestive setting of the Val d’Orcia. They are managed with care and extreme attention by Andrea Franchetti, a producer dedicated to the search for perfect harmony between the vineyard, soil, and climate and prone to experimentation. The wines produced by Franchetti are intense and artisanal, and always of high quality. Fermentation takes place in cement with the use of indigenous yeasts and aging in selected barrels. Le Cupole is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon (with a clear predominance of the former). These international vines, which have adapted with great results in Tuscany, grow in twenty years old vineyards located at an altitude of about 400-600 meters above sea level. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks, after a 15 days maceration in contact with the skins. The wine is then aged first for 8 months in used barriques, and then for another 10 months in concrete, before being bottled. In the glass, the wine shows a bright ruby red color. Ripe red fruit dominates the nose, interspersed with light, spicy nuances. On the palate, Le Cupole is full-bodied and characterized by refreshing and dry flavors and fruity notes. Tannins are soft and perfectly integrated into the general structure. Try it with pork shank.
2020
Red Wine Tenuta Ghiaccio Forte Morellino di Scansano 2020. The Ghiaccio Forte estate in Tuscany’s coastal Maremma region was acquired by Castello Romitorio in Montalcino in 1999. The property is actually named after the ancient Etruscan settlement whose ruins can be seen a short distance away. Located just 25km from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the vineyards here are ideal for premium winemaking thanks to the cooling breezes even during the hot summers, the unspoilt natural environment, and the prime volcanic soils. Morellino di Scansano is one of Tuscany’s best kept secrets, a little-known appellation that produces delicious, fresh red wines with very modest price tags. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure quality and vinified in stainless steel tanks without oak maturation. This allows the natural character of the Sangiovese and the terroir to shine through. The nose is bursting with fresh red cherries, redcurrants and plums while the first sip reveals a medium body, fine tannins and a refreshing acidity which perfectly balances the ripe fruit. The elegance and balance of this wine combine with a youthful vigour to make it very easy to drink and a great match for mature cheeses like Pecorino, tomato-based pasta dishes, or even a hearty aubergine parmigiana.
2020