Wine & friends improve with age
I just recently discovered a place in Rome called Vino4you. A small, welcoming wine shop where one can find from the most renowned and highly rated wines to the ones produced in smaller wineries.
I love places that smell of devotion to a product that has many stories to tell you. Every time you open a bottle, even of what you’ve already tried, there is a different story waiting to be unfolded.
Today I would like to tell you about a great friendship story between Baron Rotschild-Lafite, owner of one of the most famous Chateaux in Bordeaux, and Castellara di Castellina, renowed winery based in Chianti Classico, Tuscany.
The main character of the tasting of the day is Rocca di Frassinello, winery born from an international joint venture, the absolute first one between Italy and France.
The location chosen was in Maremma, a few kilometres away from Bolgheri, famous area for the best red italian wines.
Maremma is a devoted area for vines to root. Do you know this part of the much loved Tuscany?
No? Well, I am sure some names I am about to tell you will ring the bell.
Masseto. Was I right? 100% merlot made, the wine ambassador of excellence of this area.
I tell you more…listen listen..the highest label of this Rocca di Frassinello is called Baffonero, a possible competitor to Masseto for its incredible personality.
Shhhh it's a secret, don't tell anyone.
And I tell you more..I had the chance to get to know this delicate creature and I'll talk about it in few paraghaphs. Keep calm and keep reading.
What I was talking about? Ah yes, Maremma. A great spot was chosen to cultivate local vine as Sangioveto (local name given to Sangiovese ) and international vines as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot to allow both firms to represent their own identity and facilitate a bond as deep as the roots of the vines they represent.
It's 8 pm. Davide the owner of Vino4you shuts down the wine shop and starts the tasting.
In the background the chef is already busy cooking the pasta and pair it with one of the two wines introduced tonight.
We start from Poggio alla Guardia Vigne Alte, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangioveto, Syrah. The wine making and the consequent fermentation happen in stainless steel tanks that allow the wine to keep its freshness. Deep purple is the colour, brilliant in the glass. Clear on the nose.
Intense perfume, red fruit aromas and plums, a touch of balsamic and sweet spices.
On the palate I find the personality that my nose foresaw, rich and warm, easy to drink and to appreciate, spicy and fresh on my tongue. Very pleasant final.
Salame di cinta senese and boar by Salumificio Monsanto, aged tuscan pecorino dop, produced by consorzio val d'orcia are the suggested pairing with this wine.
To be honest it’s a right pairing, especially with the aged pecorino. It’s a triumph of savours because one doesn't dominate on the other, but instead together they create a perfect team play: the freshness of the wine softens the stronger aroma of the pecorino to a balance in the mouth.
Result? Both of them linger in my mouth. Got it!
A great goal made from beyond the three-point line (good basketball players know what I am talking about!).
The next fellow is Le Sughere di Frassinello. Sangioveto promises eternal love to Cabernet and Merlot (to be sure..two is better than one) marrying the two identies: Italian and French.
It’s no coincidence that this wine was introduced as the second highest winery's label! Brilliant deep ruby colour to the eyes, on the nose bouquet of fruits and flowers, soft tannins welcome the scialatielli (a type of thick and short fettuccine pasta) with the tuscan ragu that the chef devotedly cooked. (oops..sorry for the blurred picture)
Balance, quality...happiness (ours..silence and smiling faces around me).
After so much satisfaction, Davide surprise us with an offer we can't refuse.
''Let's open the treasure of Rocca di Frassinello: Baffonero, the highest label!''
After an earlier accurate presentation that enticed our curiosity, we start leering (?) each other and without hesitation we all go for it.
An incredible experience. Baffonero, 100%Merlot. In my glass a crystalline deep ruby red colour with shade of violet. On the nose an elegant bouquet of black fruit, black berries, blueberries with a final of soft vanilla. On the palate one tastes a great complexity that needs a long time to unravel the story trapped within.
Soft tannins, fresh and warm flavours continue to unfold throughout the long aftertaste. I highly recommend to open the bottle at least 4 hours before tasting to completely enjoy this divine creature.
We tasted 2014 vintage. It's still a baby today but I bet it will have very much to say in the next 10 years!
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