Elisabetta Geppetti "Poggio Valente" Morellino di Scansano 2006

We visited this vineyard in Tuscany and schlepped this all the way back with us! It wasn't our favorite over there, but our palates were thoroughly spoiled when we tried it. Now back in reality, we give it a try...

EXPERIENCE

Cork has bright floral notes. The nose is floral and sweet, with underlying citrus and earthiness. Light alcohol on the nose, though not offensive. Seems brighter and sweeter than other morellinos. The taste is bitter dark chocolate with pepper on the finish. The wine is a bit light and watery which makes the flavor less deep than we'd like. As the wine opens, the finish becomes more bitter. 

VERDICT

NOT A VALUE - This was 25 Euros in Tuscany and pops up on the internet state-side for around $40... just not worth it. Aside from the fact that there is better Morellino di Scansano available for cheaper, this wine just wasn't that pleasant to drink. It lacks the depth of flavor and overall balance that we are big fans of in other morellinos. 

FACTS

Elisabetta Geppetti's vinyard "Fattoria Le Pupille" is located just outside of Grosetto in Southwestern Toscano. The 2006 "Poggio Valente" is a DOC classified Morellino di Scansano and this vintage marks the final production of the winery's original location. It is made from sangiovese (at least 85%) and alicante grapes, and is aged in oak barriques for 15 months. Geppetti also makes a DOC Morellino that is not aged (simply labeled Morellino di Scansano... no fancy name) which we've had as well... go ahead and skip that one too. 

Motta Morellino di Scansano 2008

Always on the lookout for a new morellino, we found this wine that pairs ciliegiolo with the requisite sangiovese. Not something you see very often and certainly worth investigating...

EXPERIENCE
The nose sweet and floral with a strong scent of forrest berries. First taste is dark cherries as it hits your tongue. Light tannins and a very smooth finish. As is opens... the nose becomes more smoky and earthy, reminiscent of skins and stems. The taste and finish become more peppery with the sangiovese balancing out the cherry-like ciliegiolo. Fuller than your average morellino with well balanced flavors throughout.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP - We picked this up for $19.99 at a local shop and we'll gladly grab it again. We're morellino fans in general, but this one really stands out. The two grapes in this are almost at odds, but come together to make a really unique wine. Not a replacement for the lighter, peppery blends, but a welcomed varation.

FACTS
Motta is located near Grosseto in the beautiful Maremma region of Southwester Toscana. Their Morellino di Scansano is classified DOCG and is made up of 85% sangiovese and 15% ciliegiolo. Checkout Motta's website for more info.

Cantina Coop del Morellino "Roggiano" Morellino di Scansano 2008

Enjoyed this bottle in a restaurant perched on a hillside overlooking Scansano.

EXPERIENCE
Slight fruit on the nose. Medium body. Mildly tart and acidic, but with a smooth finish. Definitely on the subtle side for a morellino.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP - There are a few things we like about this wine... It's affordable (€13 at a restaurant surely translates to under $20 in the US), and it's 100% sangiovese (which is not the norm for Morellino di Scansano). The reason winemakers add other grapes to their morellinos is usually to tame the harsh flavors, so we aren't sure how they made such a subtle wine out of only sangiovese... but they did and we like it! Really unique and worth seeking out.

FACTS
This Morellino di Scansano from La Cantina Cooperativa dei Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano is classified DOCG and is made from 100% sangiovese grapes. Like all such wines, it comes from the beautiful hills of southwestern Toscana. This winery is actually a coop of growers... check their website for more info. Again, not much out there in the realm of US availability, so any help is welcome.

Tenuta Pietramora "Petramora" Morellino di Scansano 2007

The second find at Enoteca Scansanese in Scansano.

EXPERIENCE
A funky nose with plenty of oak. Nice balance of sweet and tart on the tongue with some citrus and acidity. Dry as it goes down with a long peppery finish. Well balanced with a wide range of flavors throughout the drinking.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP - €11.70 in our favorite Scansano shop means about $15 here in the US. A great price for a complex and balanced wine. 


FACTS 
Tenuta Pietramora's "Petramora" is a DOCG Morellino di Scansano made from 85% sangiovese and 15% merlot. The wine is aged in small French oak barrels for 7 months and for 3 more months in the bottle. The winery does have a website, though only in Italian... here is a Google translated link! We haven't been able to find this yet in the US, but hope to... any help?

Sellari Franceschini "Morello" Morellino di Scansano 2007

Our Italian adventure continues with a stay just outside the town of Scansano. This region, known as La Maremma, occupies the southwestern corner of Toscana, and is absolutely beautiful (while pleasantly less in the limelight than the Chianti region to the north). Here you will find some of the best peppery olive oil you've ever had, and a Vintage Knows staple red wine... Morellino di Scansano. This is the first of two offerings from Enoteca Scansanese, a great shop in Scansano with a wall full of local wines.

EXPERIENCE
A nutty cork and bold fruity funk on the nose. Tart on the tongue and very dry. Medium light body with abundant peppery spice in the finish. As it opens the flavors become slightly muted, but still bold.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP - At €15 (around $20) this wine is a great deal. Light yet surprisingly bold, it really stands out from other Morellino's that we've tried. There were only 2,801 bottles of this vintage made, so it may be hard to find. If you can find it, your efforts will be rewarded!

FACTS
Sellari Franceschini's "Morello" is a bonafide DOCG Morellino di Scansano. The winery is located near Scansano in southwestern Toscana. It is made from mostly sangiovese (88%) and spagna (6-8%), with malvasia nera, nero francese, grinto, merlot, and cabernet "in piccole percentuali per il resto" (in small percentages for the rest). Easily the most grapes in one blend that we have ever tried. The great thing about Morellino di Scansano is the variety of grapes the winemakers use... the only requirement for the wine formula (aside from growing within the certified area) is 85% sangiovese grapes. That leaves 15% freedom, which this winemaker took serious advantage of. Not much other information on the web, and availability in the US looks slim... but we will keep an eye out. Please let us know if you find it!

Fattoria di Magliano "Heba" Morellino di Scansano 2006

A precursor to a night of Red Wings hockey and a Kimbo Slice fight, we found this wine at a new shop in our neighborhood for $18. Given our reverence for La Mozza's Morellino, this wine has some high standards to live up to...

EXPERIENCE

The cork is surprisingly strong; hinting at an earthy/wood tone balanced with fruit. The first taste is mellow, with little bit of alcohol on the nose. The body is medium-light, with a dry tart finish. Often with a lighter red wine a tart finish can be overpowering; however, in this case, the body is not too light and the finish not too strong. As it opens it becomes pleasantly sweeter on the front, the finish gets longer and less tart, and you really get a sense of the smooth "jammy" taste of the grapes.

VERDICT

GOOD AND CHEAP. No complaints on this one. Good balance with enough complexity the keep your attention. Our affinity for Morellino continues... 

FACTS

Fattoria di Magliano is located in the town of Magliano in the Maremma region of southern Toscana. "Heba" is the name they give to their DOC Morellino di Scansano (much like "I Parazzi"), which is made from 85% Morellino (the local variety of Sangiovese) and 15% "other." Unfortunately they aren't very specific with their grapes, but they do mention aging in "cement butts." We tried our best to figure out what they are referring to, but couldn't really piece it together. Bad translation? Perhaps. Whatever these mysterious "butts" may be, they make for some good wine!

La Mozza "I Perazzi" Morellino di Scansano 2005

We have drunk more bottles of this wine than either of us care to admit (or can remember). At around $17 a bottle, I Perazzi is attractive to the budget conscious. Don't be deceived by La Mozza's creative names; this is a Morellino di Scansano.

EXPERIENCE

Though the cork and aroma don't offer a whole lot, the taste does not disappoint. Fruity at first with a nice medium body and a hint of alcohol in the finish, the wine offers a very well rounded and balanced experience. The one thought we keep coming back to is that this is just a pleasant wine to drink all the way through. It stands on its own, offers an interesting tasting, and can also be easily paired with food.

VERDICT

GOOD AND CHEAP Balance, balance, balance. La Mozza has it right with this wine. It is just easy to drink. When you consider the price tag, the wine goes well above what you'd ever expect. If Quintarelli's Valpolicella is our Ferrari 250 GT, this is our Fiat 124 Sport Spider. Bottom line, find this wine, buy it and enjoy it.

FACTS

La Mozza is located in the Maremma region of the province of Grosseto in southern Toscana. I Perazzi is classified DOC and is composed of 85% Morellino (the local name for what is actually Sangiovese), 4% Syrah, 4% Alicante, 3% Colorino, 4% Ciliegiollo.