Showing posts with label super-tuscan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label super-tuscan. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 2, 2023

La Vite Lucente 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review



red wine review is a lovely Super Tuscan that arrived at the LCBO today and is part of theme of Fine Wines for Festive Entertaining in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Tenuta Luce, a winery project that was formed in the early 1990's when Vittorio Frescobaldi met Robert Mondavi. From that meeting, a new chapter in great Tuscan wines was written, with a dream to create a wine in Montalcino (Tuscany), the land of choice for the production of excellent wines that, while acknowledging and celebrating tradition, went beyond the boundaries of tradition by treasuring the experiences of two historic wine families. The ambitious project took the name of Tenuta Luce - a name that evokes the sunlight of Montalcino. The sun is also the source of life and nourishment, while also marking the passage of the seasons and sets the pace for all agricultural activity. Sol Solis, or the radiant sun, is the inspiring symbol of Luce's brand. It is the sun that is chiseled on the main altar of the Church of Santo Spirito, in Florence, that was commissioned in the 15th century to Brunelleschi and built on land donated by the Frescobaldi family. Luce is an homage to the sun that provides warmth, energy, and life.

Tenuta Luce is located on the land of Montalcino, a land which is the origin of everything and their home, as well as a magical place where wine is life, tradition, and culture. The land of Montalcino is perched on an enchanting hill that retains is medieval charm, while the surrounding area is classically Tuscan with gentle slopes covered with vineyards, olive groves, and woods. Montalcino is also a territory with a microclimate of unparalleled value for the cultivation of grapevines.

The values at Tenuta Luce begins with wine that is the most natural expression of the territory where it is produced, while also reflecting the characteristics of the grapes from which it is obtained. The work begins with great care in tending the vines to enhance the precious harmony in the vineyard and continues all the way to the winery, where the ripe grapes are brought in and vinified in steps with great attention to detail that reflects the philosophy of the Estate. Respect is also a core value at Tenuta Luce - respect for the land, the vineyards, and the people who work there. People's intelligence and curiosity must be respected and stimulated, as this intelligence encourages and fuels continuous improvement. The beauty of nature must be preserved and nurtured, protected and nourished, as it is from this beauty that they draw inspiration to exceed and do better. As guests of this world, Tenuta Luce is driven to leave the land in a better place than how they found it for future generations. As such, the vineyards are planted only and strictly according to the suitability of each parcel, while aiming to safeguard the biodiversity of the land that makes Luce unique.

Luce's vineyards are situated on slopes to the southwest of the village of Montalcino. The heterogeneous vineyards have different exposures to the sun, a variety of soils, and altitudes ranging from 280 to 418 metres above sea level. The soils are schistose in the upper range, rich in yellow sands and sandstones in the central belt, and mixed-clayey at lower elevations. The altitude and southern exposure of the vineyards support a slow and complete ripening of the grapes to produce wines of great concentration and vigor, while the cool, breezy nights help preserve the aromatic complexity of the grapes and acidity in the wines. Merlot is an integral component of Luce's wines, as the first Merlot grapes arrived in Montalcino thanks to the Frescobaldi family.

This red wine is crafted with Merlot and Sangiovese. Both grapes were harvested in magnificent weather in September (the Merlot on September 3 and Sangiovese ten days later), and after the grapes were brought to the winery, they were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 10 days, with maceration on the skins for 20 days. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in new and used barriques.

The growing season in 2021 began with a severe winter that brought little moisture, followed by a spring that started dry and mild, with above-average temperatures at times, particularly in March. While temperatures plunged to freezing at the beginning of April throughout Tuscany, Tenuta Luce's vineyards fortunately suffered no damage due to the high-elevation Sangiovese vineyards that were situated above the cold air, while the Merlot buds were still protected by their cottony sheath. Preceding the flowering stage, the first bout of heat arrived in late May. The summer months were hot and dry, while a timely rainfall in mid-July helped lower temperatures, provided relief to the vines, and created the ideal conditions for veraison. In August, there was some beneficial rainfall that lowered the heat and encouraged significant diurnal temperature variation between day and night, conditions which helped preserve aromatic crispness and ripeness in the berries. Harvest was carried out in magnificent weather with no rain. From a good-to-excellent and healthy vintage, let's see how this 2021 Super Tuscan is tasting tonight...

La Vite Lucente 2021 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

LA VITE LUCENTE 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#747030) (XD) - $32.95
This blend of Merlot and Sangiovese has a medium+ intensity nose takes some coaxing to open up, offering attractive notions of rich and ripe red & black cherry, cedary wood, baking spice, and savoury wet earth aromas. It's medium-full bodied with lovely, ripe, red and black cherry, baking spice, rose floral, clove, sandalwood, and earthy flavours that are supported by fresh and juicy acidity. Rich, structured tannins are youthful and somewhat grippy with a slightly chalky texture. Earthy with mineral notes linger on the long, grippy, and well-structured finish. Having tasted several vintages of this wine, this is probably my favourite. Enjoyable now, but will reward with time in the cellar. Best over the next 7-8 years and a highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other fine wines by Tenuta Luce recently arrived at the LCBO, but can also be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, February 25, 2023

Zingari 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying the delicious 2018 Zingari last year, red wine review is the latest edition of this lovely Super Tuscan that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Petra, a winery and estate whose modern story was conceived in the late 1990's with the intention of bringing together some of the greatest pioneers of Italian wine to create a new benchmark for Super Tuscans - wines made using international grape varieties grown and vinified on Tuscan soils. Petra is situated close to the ancient village of Suvereto, in northern Maremma of Tuscany, on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia where you can see as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Although Petra was only conceived fairly recently, it's roots go back to 1808 when Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Napoleone's sister, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and grand duchess of Tuscany, chose this place in Maremma to establish the first seed of an agricultural and viticultural project. Nearly two centuries later, Francesca Moretti fell in love with the history and the culture of the chateaux in Bordeaux and began studying agriculture and oenology. She eventually settled in the fertile Val di Cornia and in 1997, her father Vittorio Moretti, one of the greats of Italian wine, purchased 60 hectares in San Lorenzo and 45 hectares in Campiglia Marittima, a few kilometres from Piombino, in the Suvereto area, as the start of the contemporary project that would become Petra.

While still in university, Francesca planted her first varietals at the winery based on the terroir and her vision and favouring international varieties in the Princess Vineyard, a 5 hectare plot where Elisa Bonaparte had also planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes two centuries earlier. The vineyards of Petra are located in a pristine, "wild" part of Maremma along the Tuscan coast where biodiversity is vibrant. The vineyards are managed according to organic practices while in the process of being certified, as well as reducing environmental impact.

The Zingari wine was born as an experimental vineyard on loamy-sandy textured and slightly calcareous soils to test the attitude of its varietals: Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot. The wine traces its roots to an ancient water spring that was a stop-over for pilgrims and wayfarers who were travelling along the Aurelia Street, hence the name Zingari (aka Gypsies), and could seek refreshment by resting near by its crystal clear waters. The decision to plant not only autochthonous grape varieties, but also international varieties, was to underline and narrate the migrating nature of the wine. The grape varieties used in this wine travelled distances to finally find comfort within the water spring of Zingari! It was aged in barrels and barriques for at least 12 months, and then at least a further 3 months in bottle prior to release.

By most accounts, the 2019 growing season in Tuscany was extremely good, marked by extreme summer heat and life-saving rains which fell towards the end of July that prevented the onslaught of drought. The weather stayed fine and stable through to harvest period, raising expectations for producing some excellent wines. Let's see how this 2019 Super Tuscan is tasting tonight...

Zingari 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

ZINGARI 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#244228) (XD) - $19.95
This Super Tuscan is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot has clean, fragrant, medium-high intensity aromatics that deliver spicy, dried herbs, dark-black cherry, cocoa, clove, earthy mineral, and balsamic notes with impressive complexity. On the dry, chewy, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has ripe dark berry cherry, cassis, black plum, mineral, and dried herbs flavours with a saltiness that permeates throughout. Acids are fresh and succulent, while the supple tannins have a lightly pleasant chalky grip. Salty minerals, dark berry, cherry, sweet cassis, and cedary oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Better than the previous vintage and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious Petra Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 28, 2022

Tenuta San Guido Wine Tasting (Tuscany) - Wine Reviews

Back in , I had a great opportunity to taste the latest wines by Tenuta San Guido - makers of the iconic Sassicaia Super Tuscan wine from Bolgheri - and after the structured tasting enjoyed a fine lunch at Stratus Restaurant in downtown Toronto.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Wine Tasting

The story of Tenuta San Guido begins with Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. The Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta are among the protagonists of Italian history, from the early Middle Ages to the emergence of the Baroque age, and beyond. Mario was born into a Piedmontese family in 1899 and studied agriculture in Pisa and immediately cultivated a strong inclination for agronomy. By the 1920s, his dream was to find perfection in agriculture and respect for the land.

In 1930, Mario married Clarice della Gherardesca, a descendant of one of the oldest families in Tuscany, and moved to Maremma, Tuscany. In addition to a common passion for wine, Mario and Clarice also had a passion for thoroughbred horses - a family passion that continues to this day with an on-site stable and training centre. Countess Clarice was also the heiress to 2,500 hectares in the Bolgheri area: Tenuta San Guido.

Mario Incisa immediately realized Tenuta San Guido as one of the most extraordinary biotypes of Mediterranean Europe and began experimenting with some French grape varieties, concluding that Cabernet had the bouquet he was seeking. Recalling a time in the 1920s when Mario Incisa tasted a wine belonging to the Dukes Salviati di Migliarino, grown on the hill of San Giuliano, near Pisa, he asked Salviatis for some plants of their vines and planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the hills that gently descended towards the sea, below the fortress of Castiglioncello. He also noticed the similarity between this land in Bolgheri and the Graves area in Bordeaux, due to the mainly gravelly soil which is very favourable to the production of great red wines. In order to grow excellent quality fruit, he pruned drastically to obtain low-yields, and then introduced barrique for the ageing of fine wines, following the example of French producers.

Although no one considered Bolgheri an area suited for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon before the 1940s, Tenuta San Guido benefits from a set of natural elements that favours this varietal. The soils are partially clayey and situated at an altitude between 100 and 400 meters above sea level, with west and southwest exposure, along with a strong presence of limestone areas rich in Alberese and Gabbro, as well as stones. The climate also has its own peculiarity with an amphitheatre of hills embracing the land that stretches from Bibbona to Castagneto, protecting the vineyards and olive groves from northeast winds, while in summer this corridor is cooled by winds generated between the valleys of the Cecina river. The energy and sunlight are reflected from the sea to the hills, which in turn retains the sea breeze and generates refreshing humidity. Situated within a range of 2,500 hectares, this area was found to have the ideal terroir for Sassicaia.

Sassicaia, the wine whose name is a toponym, was strictly a private product reserved for family and friends from 1945 to 1967. In 1971, the 1968 vintage was the first vintage available to the public and it received praise worthy of greatness and importance. In 1978, the 1972 Sassicaia was awarded first place at a Decanter magazine blind tasting among 33 Cabernet Sauvignons from around the world and moved towards becoming the iconic wine it is today. In order to recognize Mario's vision in creating a wine that gave Italian winemaking lustre and fame, Italy created the Bolgheri DOC appellation in 1983, and in 2013 the sub-appellation of DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia was created. Since Tenuta San Guido owns all of the land under the DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia appellation, Sassicaia is the only wine that is made in the appellation.

Today, Tenuta San Guido is led by Honorary President Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta. son of Mario. Nicolò joined his father in 1955 to help manage the family business. The Incisa family had a relationship with the Antinori family through Nicolò's mother, Clarice, who was from the Della Gherardesca family. It was through this relationship that Nicolò worked with the young oenologist Giacomo Tachis to develop the first red Bordeaux blend in the history of Bolgheri - it was the aforementioned 1968 Sassicaia. Nicolò was instrumental in turning Tenuta San Guido into a modern estate that combined family traditions with the expertise of independent managers.

The bond that exists between the family and company is now represented by Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, daughter of Nicolò and brand manager responsible for external relations, and her five cousins and their children. The estate covers 2,500 hectares, of which 90 hectares are devoted to the vineyards and the winery. The approach in the vineyard is always measured against the needs of the land. Vineyard management requires a great deal of time and care and is influenced by the seasonality to determine if any interventions are required, while the concepts of sustainability, integration, and conservation are also important prerequisites prior to taking any action. Harvest is carried out manually, while in the winery, they strive to create wines with balance, pleasantness, elegance, freshness, sinuous tannins, and longevity.

Tenuta San Guido Wine Tasting

In addition to Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido also produces two other wines - Guidalberto and Le Difese. We had the opportunity to taste all three wines during the structured tasting which was led by Priscilla. After taking us through each of the fantastic wines, including some back vintages, we also had the opportunity to pair the wines with lunch. Reviews of all of the wines tasted are provided below, with the latest vintages available for purchase through the Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits, or at the LCBO in the coming months.

Tasting Notes:

TENUTA SAN GUIDO LE DIFESE 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#147876) (XD) - $38.95
First produced in 2002 and traditionally more Cab Sauv than Sangiovese, this vintage is a blend of 55% Sangiovese and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Sangiovese purchased from two estates. From a warm vintage that was good for early ripening varieties, this has a clean, ripe, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of dark cherry-berry, currant, and clove with hints of cassis, as well as elegant wood spice aromas. Some beautiful floral notes emerge with time in glass. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it offers elegant, fine-grained, and gritty tannins that have some structure. Very nice aroma replays are nicely balanced on the palate. Clove, currant, and dark cherry replays linger on the long, succulent finish. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES May 2023. Score: 92 pts

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2020 (92 pts)

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $66.95
A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that is fresh, yet seems shy with crushed dark red berry, currant, and cassis aromas with savoury undertones. It’s medium-full bodied on the crunchy palate with tight tannins. Very nice aroma replays on the flavour profile are joined by licorice, and wild herbs. It has fresh acidity and excellent length on the long, balanced, finish. Still a bit young and should age nicely up to a decade from now. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES March 2023. Score: 93 pts

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2020 (93 pts)Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2015 (93 pts)

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD)
Named after Guidalberto della Gherardesca, the ancestor who made the greatest contribution to the territory’s agricultural and viticultural history. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot has a lovely, perfumed, highly aromatic nose of currant, cassis, red & black fruits, with savoury, wet earth, forest floor undertones. It’s medium-full bodied with smooth, refined tannins that have some structure and is still a bit tight. Nicely balanced aroma replays with elegance on the palate. Balanced acids. Long, dark berry, currant, and earthy finish. Score: 93 pts

SASSICAIA 2019 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD) - $249.95
A traditional blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. From a very regular, steady vintage, this has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that offers a lovely perfume of red & black fruits, currant, cherry, wet earth, and forest floor, with touches of florality. It’s medium-full to full-bodied with lovely aroma replays plus spice notes and smooth, structured, and elegant tannins that are balanced with fresh acidity. Nicely balanced flavours throughout, tapering to a very long, currant, dark berry, and wet earth finish. Score: 96 pts

Sassicaia 2019 (96 pts)

SASSICAIA 2018 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
85/15 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. First made in 1968 and celebrating its 50th vintage, the perfumed, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers fresh dark and red berry, currant, and cassis notes with touches of purple fruit and floral. On the medium-full to full-bodied palate it has fresh acidity and lovely aroma replays. Smooth, structured, and dusty textured tannins are very nicely balanced throughout. Attractive fruit and savoury earthy interplays on the finish, with excellent length. Very approachable now and will continue to age well into the late 2030s. Score: 96 pts

Sassicaia 2018 (96 pts)Sassicaia 2010 (97 pts)

SASSICAIA 2010 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc from a fresher vintage and long harvest. Beautiful, highly aromatic, maturing nose of dried cherry, rose florals, and savoury wet earth. Wow! Lovely smooth, refined, finely textured tannins on the medium-full to full-bodied palate with lovely aroma replays plus some earthy mineral notes on the flavour profile. Juicy, well-balanced acids. Very nice, very long, earthy mineral finish. Will continue to drink well for another 10+ years. Score: 97 pts

Stratus Roasted Tomato & Fennel PuréeStratus Crisp Skinned Chicken Supreme

Stratus Lemon Crème Brûlée


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  • Date publishedSunday, April 10, 2022

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

red wine review is this lovely Super Tuscan that returns to the LCBO next weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Tenuta Sette Ponti is a story of passion, dedication, and love for vineyards and their traditions. Their business philosophy is based on quality, research, long-lasting knowledge, age-old customs, respect for the land and its balance, while also keep pace with modern agricultural and enological practices.

Although Tenuta Sette Ponti is a relatively new producer that was only established in the 1990s, it's history begins in 1935 when Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta and Viceroy of Ethiopia planted the first vineyards on this property in Tuscany between Florence and Arezzo to celebrate having taken over the Ethiopian Empire. It was called "Vigna dell'Impero", or Vineyard of the Empire, and is home to an ancient clone of Sangiovese that is the only one of its kind.

In the 1950s, Architect Alberto Moretti Cuseri acquired the first 55 hectares of land directly from Princesses Margherita and Maria Cristina of Savoy-Aosta, daughters of Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, and dedicated himself to the production of winegrowing and olive oil. For many years, he produced grapes to sell to producers.

Antonio Moretti Cuseri, Alberto's son, was driven by a passion and interest in wine since he was a young boy. In 1997, he took control of his father's winery and worked alongside the best viticulturists and enologists to evaluate the suitability of the land for the production of quality wines, although the area was already declared one of the most suitable areas for wine production in Tuscany in 1716 by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. After numerous studies, research, consultancy, and testing, Antonio stopped selling grapes to other producers and established Tenuta Sette Ponti, releasing his first label - Crognolo - in 1998. The name "Tenuta Sette Ponti" comes from the seven bridges that extend over the Arno River on the road from Florence to Arezzo, while Crognolo is named after a wild plant that is also known as Cornelian cherry or cornus mas, and grows abundantly on the estate. With in-depth research, an incredible love for vines, and for age-old expertise about the art of winemaking, Tenuta Sette Ponti makes exceedingly high quality, organic wines in line with Tuscan traditions. Their iconic Oreno Super Tuscan red wine is among the top wines in the world.

In 2018, the third generation of the Moretti Cuseri family joined the business with Amedeo taking on the role of director and Italian market manager, while Alberto is the communications and export director. This new generation continues to represent the company's strong values of tradition and great passion passed down by their father. With a fresh and new vision that is strengthened by high quality wines, Tenuta Sette Ponti is consistently recognized globally and are becoming symbols of Italian excellence and authentic style.

The 1997 Crognolo was Antonio Moretti Cuseri’s first quality wine. It was crafted from clones of the historic Sangiovese vines in the estate's oldest vineyard, Vigna dell'Impero. This unique Sangiovese clone was multiplied across Tenuta Sette Ponti's other Sangiovese vineyards and is still incorporated in this wine. This particular vintage of Crognolo is made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot that was grown on clay and sand soils, as well as Tuscany's special stony galestro limestone. The area offers ideal sun exposure and a climate tempered by the Mediterranean, which are ideal for cultivating the Sangiovese grape. Yields are kept low, while the fruit is hand-harvested, sorted, and de-stemmed. After fermentation in a combination of temperature-controlled and lined open-top tanks, the lots are blended and aged in French Allier barriques for 10-14 months, followed by 5-6 months in bottle prior to release. After enjoying the 2016 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo a few years ago, I am curious to see how this 2018 edition is tasting tonight...

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2018 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#727636) (XD) - $34.95
This Super Tuscan is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and has a medium-high intensity nose with a lovely bouquet of sweet red cherries, rose floral, and sweet spice aromas with subtle earthy and mineral tones. On the medium-full bodied, chewy palate it has lovely, balanced replays of red cherry, rose floral, and savoury wood spices. It's really nicely balanced with juicy acidity, and plush, textured tannins that have just subtle chalky grip. A pleasing mix of savoury, woody, minerally, and red berry notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Tenuta Sette Ponti's iconic Oreno is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, March 10, 2022

Zingari 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

wine review is a delicious Super Tuscan red that is featured as part of theme on wines from Tuscany and on the cover of the LCBO VINTAGES Release catalogue.

Petra is a wine company located close to the ancient village of Suvereto, in northern Maremma of Tuscany, on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia where you can see as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea. A women's company, Petra has been directed by women for more than 200 years.

The story of Petra begins in 1808 when Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Napoleone's sister, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and grand duchess of Tuscany, chose this place in Maremma to establish the first seed of an agricultural and viticultural project. Two centuries later, Francesca Moretti fell in love with the history and the culture of the chateaux in Bordeaux and began studying agriculture and oenology. Francesca also begin looking for properties to convert into a winemaking company like those found in Bordeaux and settled in the fertile Val di Cornia area in Maremma with the cooperation of the explorer Attilio Scienza.

In 1997, Vittorio Moretti purchased 60 hectares in San Lorenzo and 45 hectares in Campiglia Marittima, a few kilometres from Piombino, in the Suvereto area. These purchases were the seed, the start of an extensive and contemporary project that would become Petra. Originally from Franciacorta, Francesca Moretti found her second home in Suvereto. Francesca planted her first varietals at the winery while still in university. Based on the terroir and her vision, she favoured international varieties and planted these in the Princess Vineyard, a 5 hectare plot where Elisa Bonaparte had also planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes two centuries earlier. In the vineyard, agricultural practices follow an organic regime while also reducing environmental impact, with a path towards organic certification.

This red wine is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Petit Verdot that was born out of an experimental vineyard to test the attitudes of each varietal. The wine's roots can be traced back to an ancient water spring that was a stop-over for pilgrims and wayfarers, also known as the Zingari (Gypsies), who were travelling along nearby Aurelia Street and could seek refreshment by resting nearby its crystal clear waters. The average age of the vines is 17 years and they are planted on loamy-sandy texture and slightly calcareous soils. It was aged in barrels and barriques for at least 12 months and spent a further 3 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this red blend from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Zingari 2018 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ZINGARI 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#244228) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Petit Verdot has a fragrant, open nose that offers an attractive mix of ripe black cherry, red plum, savoury earth, and subtle wood spice aromas. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious ripe black cherry, plum, cassis, cedary wood spice, and savoury earth flavours. Fresh acids are juicy and nicely balanced, while the supple tannins have a subtle, grippy texture. Supple and dry on the long, savoury, cedary wood spiced finish. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Petra can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, January 3, 2022

Piazzano Ventoso Sangiovese 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely Tuscan red wine made with Sangiovese. A new arrival, it comes to the LCBO as part of the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release and is featured as a Smart Buy and a $17 solution as a great-value wine in this release.

Fattoria di Piazzano has been in the Bettarini family since 1948, when Otello Bettarini, who had a great interest in astronomy fell in love with the village and region, decided to move from Prato to the area among the hills, south of Empoli. Soon after moving, the family's main activity was winegrowing. Otello and his nephew, Riccardo, would be the first members of the family to work the vineyards and advance the progress of the estate, with Riccardo eventually managing the estate on his own.

At the end of the 1990s, Riccardo entrusted the estate to his children Rolando and Ilaria to continue the traditions, passion and tenacity that was handed down to them. Today, the estate continues to be family-run with Rolando responsible for everything related to winemaking, while Ilaria focuses on the foreign market and administration. Rolando's wife, Michela, focuses on the Italian market.

Although the family has gained great experience over the years, the family does use a consultant winemaker, Attilio Pagli, and other collaborators and technicians to ensure the wines are of high quality while also having respect for the environment and ensuring eco-sustainability to keep the land as healthy as possible. In this context, Piazzano has chosen to use only energy produced from renewable sources.

I've had the pleasure of tasting a number Piazzano wines in this past. This red wine is crafted mainly with Sangiovese, but also includes some Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera, and Trebbiano in the final blend. All of the grapes were grown on clay-loam soils with rock fragments and planted with sun exposure to the south, south-west, and north. After manual and mechanical harvesting, the grapes were sorted, de-stemmed, and pressed. It was fermented and aged in concrete tanks to preserve freshness and fruitiness. By many accounts, the 2019 vintage in Tuscany was extremely good. Although the growing season was marked by extreme heat, life-saving rains in mid-summer proved crucial. Let's see how this red wine from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Piazzano Ventoso Sangiovese 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

PIAZZANO VENTOSO SANGIOVESE 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#22761) (XD) - $17.00
Mainly Sangiovese with Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera, and Trebbiano completing the blend, the fragrant nose has funky barnyard and earthy notes off the top, layered over red flowers, red cherry, blackberry, and forest floor aromas. On the medium+ bodied palate it is rustic and savoury with wet earth, red & black fruited, and clove flavours supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity and fine-grained, lightly grippy tannins. Juicy with earthy, savoury, clove, and cocoa notes linger on the long, persistent finish. Really quite nice in a rustic, savoury profile. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from Piazzano can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedFriday, May 31, 2019

Mazzei Poggio Badiola di Fonterutoli 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

wine review a nice red wine from Tuscany that will arrive in LCBO VINTAGES for the first time on .

The Mazzei family has been making fine wines in Tuscany since the 11th century. When Ser Lapo Mazzei's granddaughter married Agnolo da Fonterutoli in 1435, Castello di Fonterutoli became part of the Mazzei family. They have been producing wines at this historic castle since that time, now spanning 24 generations.

At Castello di Fonterutoli, there are 5 areas divided into 73 vineyards. The grapes for this delicious red wine come from the Le Ripe area vineyard, which is located approximately 2 kilometres northwest of Fonterutoli, within the commune of Radda in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico. The vineyard surrounds a 10th century Romanic Church, called "Badiola", to which this wine owes its name. The specific vineyard where the grapes for this wine come from are south facing and sit between 450 to 510 metres altitude, with soils that are very rocky with decomposed limestone and sandstone. This area is also relatively cool due to it's height and specific micro-climate, imparting freshness to the grapes.

Mazzei Poggio Badiola di Fonterutoli 2016 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

MAZZEI POGGIO BADIOLA DI FONTERUTOLI 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#330951) (XD) - $19.95
A blend of 65% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was hand-picked and aged in small American oak barrels for 10 months. Medium+ intensity nose offers aromas of sweet red and black cherries, dried spices, and some wood surrounding a savoury earthy core. It is medium-full bodied and fairly dense with smooth, finely-grained tannins with some grip, and juicy acids. More savoury on the flavour profile with currant, black cherry accents. Savoury, earthy and cocoa notes linger on the long finish. Enjoyable now, but will be better in 1-2 years. Score: 88+ pts


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  • Date publishedSunday, June 10, 2018

Tenuta PoggioVerrano Infinity 2009 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

red wine is a new wine coming to LCBO VINTAGES on .

Even though Tenuta PoggioVerrano was founded in the shining and rural landscape of Maremma Toscana at the turn of the century in the year 2000, this appears to be the first vintage for this particular red wine. The property has 27 hectares of vines planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Alicante, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc on rocky soils of a calcareous and clayey nature, and located between 170 metres and 300 metres elevation. The vineyards are facing south-southwest and are located just 15 kilometres from the Mediterranean. The winery is built upon gravity flow principles and is fully underground.

Tenuta PoggioVerrano Infinity 2009 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

INFINITY 2009 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#540906) (XD) - $25.95
This excellent Super Tuscan is a blend of 35% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 20% Alicante that was aged for 2 years is French oak barriques and 3 years in small stainless steel tanks before bottling. Intriguing black plum, blackberry, and oak spice aromas from the cork. Highly aromatic, pretty aromas in the glass with a nice, mature mix of savoury and dried fruits - think red floral, savoury wet forest floor, dried cherry, and sweet oak spice, along with hints of cinnamon, black plum, and black licorice. The palate is medium-full bodied with nicely balanced, complex aroma replays. Supple tannins are nicely folding into the palate, offering some grip and dusty texture. Acids are fresh. Savoury notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Drinking great now, but can also be enjoyed over the next 5 years. Score: 91 pts


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