12 Jan ITALY Tuscany
Kay will continue his wine journey in Tuscany, one of the most prestigious wine regions of Italy. After tasting the left and right rives of Bordeaux, it is in Tuscany that he made his first Italian tasting session.
It is important to know that Super Tuscan wines are from Tuscany. These wines were born at the end of the 70s when a handful of winemakers decided to free themselves from the specifications of the appellations. Some of them even downgraded their wines to go from the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantica) to “vino di Tavolla” which is none other than table wine.
Today the Super Tuscans are among Italy’s most famous wines, and it was Robert Parker, the famous critic, who helped the winemakers to make a name for themselves by supporting the process.
Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta – Tenuta San Guido – Sassicaia
It is the wine estate of one of the most famous wine merchants in Italy. He is a member of the Antinori Family and his name is Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta. He is one of the precursors of the Super Tuscans, the owner of the Tenuta San Guido and the first to use non-local grape varieties. These wines are made from Bordeaux grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.
There was no better transition for Kay than to compare two wines produced with the same grape varieties but in two different countries. The exercise is exciting and the resemblance is sometimes mind-blowing.
Kay tasted Sassicaia in a restaurant in Florence for the first time. There were several and they all noticed that this wine had something Italian but also something familiar. When they asked the owner of the place for a full explanation, they were surprised to discover the grape varieties. Since then, Tenuta San Guido’s wines are often part of tasting sessions and fine meals.
Sassicaia is a wine composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. It is aged for 24 months in French oak barrels.
Kay appreciates these powerful, fine and rich wines. One of the best tastings at home is 2016 vintage rated 100/100. This is a young vintage though since it is suggested to keep the wines for 10 to 20 years. Nevertheless, it is an absolutely incredible wine. The powerful and pronounced nose of Cabernet opens on fruity notes but also pine and dry herbs. The subtle freshness and the delicate tannins announce a voluptuous palate.
More generally, Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta’s wines are seductive and greedy. Their colour is dense and dark and the aroma is based on black fruits; blackberries, cherries, blackcurrants and figs. The tannins are fine and the finish is usually long and persistent.
Rachel Medina
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