Le Sughere di Frassinello 2006

Schlepped this one all the way back from the vineyard in Tuscany! We know it's quality wine, but were worried it didn't survive the travel...

EXPERIENCE
It survived! Cork is light with cherries. First nose is beautiful (candle worthy) with a potpourri of pepper, some fruit, & a subtle amount of earthy funk. First taste, pepper all down the middle, sangiovese! It has some raisin/prune with a bit of cherry on the finish. Full bodied and opens to more raisin with soft earth tones & softer on the pepper. Becomes a little less dry with a dried cherry finish. Towards the end we tried it with some spicy capocollo, and it made a great combination... makes the wine seem extra smooth.

VERDICT

GREAT VALUE - We got this from the vineyard for 20 Euro, but it's widely available in the States for around $30... definitely worth it. A great example of what the new "Super Tuscans" are all about. A sangiovese blend that is unique and new, yet still true to the region and its history. 

FACTS

Rocca di Frassinello is located near Grossetto in the North of the Maremma region of Toscana. The winery is beautiful with one of the largest cellars in the world designed by Renzo Piano. Rocca is actually a joint venture between two heavy-weights of the wine world, Chianti producer Castellare di Castellina and the legendary Lafite from France. This IGT Maremma Toscana blend is made from 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 50% Sangiovese. It is aged for 12 months in French oak, and then another 9 months in the bottle. Check the winemaker's website for more on this interesting collaboration.