The Hedonistic Taster
Italian Wine: Super Tuscan and other Central Italian Wines
by L.M. Archer | FWS, Bourgogne + Champagne ML
Forget ‘rustic.’ These wines prove Tuscany a region of finesse and nuance.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
Tenuta Sette Cieli
Wine: Tenuta Sette Cieli Indaco IGT Toscano
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 85
Robe: Deep indigo robe. (Indico is the Italian word for ‘Indigo’, a color often found in the sky during sunset at Tenuta Sette Cieli.)
Nose: Black olive, blue fruit, slate, barley, black tea nose.
Palate: Light body, luminous acids, lithe tannins. A wine of freshness. Fashioned from Sette Cieli’s flagship Malbec (rare in the region), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Winemaker Note: Tenute Sette Cieli means ‘Estate of the Seven Skies’ in Italian. Located in the Tuscan village of Monteverdi Marittimo, the winery straddles a 1,300 foot hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and nearby Bolgheri. 2016 stands out as one of the best vintages in the area in ten years.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Sette Cieli Scipio – IGT Toscano Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 125 / 667 cases produced.
Robe: Deep purple robe.
Nose: This wine smells of sunset, blue sky, cocoa, velvet, floral, and leather. Intoxicating.
Palate: Crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc. Surprisingly light body, luminous acids, deft tannins. A wines of balance and grace.
Winemaker Note: Named for Sipio, a famous Roman general and statesman who defeated Hannibal at the final battle of the Second Punic Wars in 2020 BC.
More about Tenuta Sette Cieli here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Umberto Cesari Liano Rosso Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon – Rubicone IGT, Emilia-Romagna
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Suggested Retail: $ 35
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Vanilla, cedar, tobacco, green pepper, dark cherry, violet nose. A lot going on.
Palate: Sour dark cherry, cedar, and tobacco on the attack. Brambleberry, sous bois, and blackberry mid-palate, finishing with notes of vanilla, cedar, and oak. Medium body, with tannins predominating over acids. Excellent entry-level Super Tuscan. Super food-friendly wine that pairs well with anything from pizza to wild game.
More about Umberto Cesari here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Selvapiano Chianto Rufina DOCG
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 19
Robe: Brilliant garnet robe.
Nose: Potpourri, violet, orange rind, geranium nose.
Palate: Light body, refined tannins. Exceptional structure. Red fruit, red currant, cinnamon bouche.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Selvapiana Vigneto Bucerchiale Chianti Rufino Riserva DOCG
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Suggested Retail: $ 35
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Umami nose of tomato leaf, basalmic, and dark tea.
Palate: Light body, acid-plus, and well-striated tannins suggest an age-worthiness. Sharp, aromatic, deep dark berry attack, followed by complex notes of evergreen, brambleberry and modelo cherry that carry through from mid-palate to a haunting finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Selvapiana Vigneto Erchi Chianti Rufina DOCG
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14 %
Suggested Retail: $ 50
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Dried rose petal, violet, rosemary, black tea, sous bois, potpourr nose.
Palate: Light body, poised acid, balanced tannins. Blueberry and raspberry attack; bramble berry, dusty dark red-blue fruit mid-palate fades to a black tea finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Selvapiana Pomino DOC Villa Petrognano – 300 Years Special Edition
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14%
Suggested Retail: $ 21
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: A rich dark fruit, mushroom, truffle, violet, dark earth, white pepper bouquet.
Palate: Light body. White truffle and pronounced acids on the attack fold into refined tannins, gamey, plum, dark fruit mid-palate and a lingering black tea finish.
A very complex, age-worthy wine. Amazing quality-to-value.
More about Fattoria Selvapiana here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Montefioralle Chianti Classico DOCG
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14 %
Suggested Retail: $ 16 – SOLD OUT
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Barnyard, balsamic , leather, cherry, black olive nose.
Palate: Surprisingly light bodied, smooth yet rustic in character. Cherry and potpourri predominate this warm, welcoming, food-friendly wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 15%
Suggested Retail: $ 30 – SOLD OUT
Robe: Inky deep garnet robe.
Nose: Heady violet, rose, nutmeg, and black cherry bouquet, with secondary notes of leather and black tea.
Palate: Slightly astringent attack, dark plum, dark cherry mid-palate, savory black olive finish.
Refined tannins, light body. Lovely old-world wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Montefioralle Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 35
Robe: Dusky amber robe.
Nose: Dried apricot, ambergris, golden raisin, orange pomade nose.
Palate: A medium-bodied dessert wine with unctuous notes of Turkish Delight, orange rind, and Medjool date, and an opulent finish.
More about Montefioralle here.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyright ©2020 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.