Rocca di Frassinello "Poggio alla Guardia" Maremma Toscana '19

Rocca di Frassinello is a French-Italian collaboration between the Chianti winery Castellare di Castellina and the Bordeaux estate Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Maremma was a new region for both of them, and they chose the central area, between Bolgheri and Scansano, which was similar to the Chianti and Montalcino terrains but warmer in temperature, allowing grapes to ripen differently. The first vineyards were planted on 17 acres in the early 2000s. They focused on Tuscany’s main vine variety, the famous Sangioveto (the traditional name for Sangiovese in Chianti), which Castellare was well experienced with, while also drawing on Lafite’s expertise with classical French vines like Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz. It took two years to bring together the five small farms that make up the 500 hectares of the Rocca di Frassinello, which today comprises about 90 hectares (220 acres) of planted vineyards.

The 2019 “Poggio alla Guardia” is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangioveto. The wine was fermented in stainless steel at controlled temperature and matured in concrete for 12 months, then aged in bottle for 4 months. The wine is savory and complex, with notes of plum, dark berry fruits, chocolate, and dried herbs. Full-bodied, with firm tannins, yet easy drinking. Try it with roasted or braised meats, stews, or aged cheeses.