Tassinaia 2015 75cl

The 2015 Tassinaia is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, now with an element of Syrah. The wine is fermented partly in steel and partly in oak and brings a breeze of spice from the get-go. This second-level red from Castello del Terriccio offers plenty of rich, exuberant and succulent fruit. I imagine it will open nicely over the next few years. Tassinaia is a selection of fruit from different vineyard parcels.<br/>Proprietor Dr. Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana owns 1,600 hectares in Terriccio, of which 56 hectares are planted to vines. The vineyard was planted in 1989 and 1990 and the estate's first vintage was 1992. The estate is headquartered in Castellina Marittima in Pisa province, with part of the large estate extending into Livorno province as well. If this property wanted to make appellation wines, they would qualify for both Montescudaio and Bibbona. Because of its enormous size, the estate enjoys its own microclimate, with winds that blow past the islands of Capraia and Corsica, forming a tunnel between the two. Consulting Enologist Carlo Ferrini has worked with this estate from the beginning. The portfolio of wines has remained largely unchanged, with the top-shelf Lupicaia and Castello del Terriccio representing single-vineyard expressions and the second-tier Tassinaia consisting of a selection of fruit from across the estate. I sat down with Dr. Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana and his family at his beautiful house in the center of Rome to taste through this extensive retrospective<br/>

A firm and chewy red with dried fruits and hints of orange peel, making this a rich yet toned wine with an attractive tannin outline. Drink in 2020.