Arillo in Terrabianca Tuscan Wine Tasting with Special Guest Director Of Operations Lorenzo Ficini

“Wine was born, not invented … like an old friend, it continues to surprise us in new and unexpected ways.”

- Dr. Salvatore P. Lucia, quoted in Bottled Wisdom, compiled and edited by Mark Pollman, 1998.

Italy is the birthplace of wine for me but I’m Italian so maybe my heritage had been a bit of an influence on this opinion.

Today, you can still find some of the top wines from Italy from some of the best producers at a reasonable price tag and reasonable for a top-level wine to me is $50 or less.  I am not saying that $50 is cheap for a good bottle of wine but it is cheap when you look at collectible wines today and that means wines that you can cellar for 20+ years or more.  One of the best regions of Italy for value is Tuscany and one of the top Supertuscan blends consistently since the first vintage in 1988 is Campaccio from Arillo in Terrabianca Winery.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is comparable to wines that are 2-3 times its price.   So, when I tasted the new release I was amazed that we can offer this wine to our “Wine Drinking People” for under $40 a bottle!

Then our good friends at Empson informed us that the Director of Operations For Arillo in Terrabianca Winery Lorenzo Ficini was in town Thursday, October 5th and that they have a few older vintages of Campaccio available so I figures a tasting would be in order to continue the scientific work we are doing here at the Wine Watch with SUPER Tuscan wines. 

Chef Toni has a special menu prepared for this tasting and the fee for this event, which includes dinner is $150 + tax.  For reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

TENUTA TERRABIANCA TUSCAN WINE TASTING
WITH SPECIAL GUEST DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS LORENZO FICINI
Thursday, October 5, 2023
7:30 PM

2022 JANKARA VERMENTINO DI GALLURA SUPERIOR
Price: $26.50                   Your Price: $23.32
Our Single Vineyard Vermentino di Gallura Superiore “Jankara” is produced entirely by the finest selection of 100% Vermentino grapes grown on our Jankara Estate. This wine represents fully the terroir and passion from which it is born, showcasing a beautiful range of flavors and aromas that are typical to the highlands of Gallura. Here you will find great balance between alcohol, acidity and fruit, as well as aromas of white flowers almonds and a bit of tropical notes that are persistent and captivating to your senses.

2019 Terrabianca Campaccio Tuscany
Price: $49.00     Your Price: $37.50          Quantity in Stock: 11
(93 Points) A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the Arillo in Terrabianca 2019 Campaccio shows elegant restraint with hints of cinnamon and sweet oak that frame a core of dark fruit. If you remember the old Campaccio, you will recognize the wine's black label and the fonts used in the design. Stylistically speaking, however, this wine has evolved over the years to show a much more tapered and graceful approach today. Pretty mineral notes create a final signature.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2019 Terrabianca Chianti Classico Reserve Croce
Price: $45.00     Sale $39.60
(93 Points) The Arillo in Terrabianca 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio Croce reveals a wild and unpredictable side with underbrush, forest berry, button mushroom and sweet potting soil. You also get hints of chalky limestone. This Riserva ups the complexity factor to a good extent, and the wine offers the depth and firmness to pair with a stewed meat dish.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2016 Terrabianca Campaccio Tuscany
Price: $49.00     Sale $37.50

(92 Points) The 2016 Campaccio (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) is robust and soft, peeling back layers of dark fruit, spice, leather and tobacco. This wine offers a high level of richness and concentration, however it does not feel heavy or too thick. The wine's fiber is firm and tight enough to pair with with roast chicken or a hearty steak, either way. With 170,000 bottles made, you get good value here.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2014 Terrabianca Campaccio Collezione Tuscany
Price: $79.00     Sale $69.52
A blend of 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot
Vivid ruby red color. Intense scents of ripe berries with toasty notes from the oak. Fine and balanced. Satisfying and balanced palate, with good concentration and freshness; structured and full-bodied.

2013 Terrabianca Campaccio Collezione Tuscany
Price: $79.00     Sale $69.52
(90 Points) Very expressive and concentrated, showing plum, blueberry, deep strawberry and earthy mushroom over dark chocolate tannins.  Decanter

Menu
Cheese and Charcuterie Selection
Beefsteak Tomato, Grilled Portobello and Burrata Salad with Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette
Tagliolini Carbonara
Sangiovese Brazed Beef Shortrib with Natural Sauce
Almond Biscotti with Grappa Whipped Crème

The fee for this tasting is $150 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know if you have any food allergies of aversions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you. 

A bit about Tenuta Terrabianca Winery

While Terrabianca, the land and winery, have had a long history, the Burkard family only came into the picture a few years ago, renaming the winery Arillo in Terrabianca and bringing new energy and enthusiasm into the fold. As it is a family brand, the owners chose to reinterpret the Burkard family’s coat of arms, commemorating it on the logo. The “Arillo in Terrabianca” label shows two stars and a castle on three hills with an oval reminiscent of the shape of a grape, “arillus” in Latin. The castle represents the strength of the family; the two stars (one for each son, Gregory and Ricardo) represent the future and continuity; and the hills symbolize the three estates: Terrabianca, il Tesoro and Colle Brezza.

Terrabianca is located in Radda in Chianti at 1,148-1,542 feet (350 and 470 meters) above sea level and has mostly whitish soil – hence the name Terrabianca. There are about 31 acres (12.5 hectares) of vineyards (in organic conversion until 2023) of mostly Sangiovese grapes. They are protected by a unique microclimate, featuring great light and moderate to high temperatures. The vineyards are surrounded by large, wooded areas that greatly influence the microclimate and aid in maintaining biodiversity, which is fundamental to quality wines. Here, Arillo in Terrabianca makes Sacello Chianti Classico and Poggio Croce Chianti Classico Riserva. These wines are truly faithful to their origins, showing the incredible elegance the area is known for.

Il Tesoro is the winery’s second estate, and it is located near the sea, just a few kilometers from Massa Marittima, in the heart of the upper Maremma. There are about 284 acres (115 hectares) at an altitude of up to 460 feet (140 meters) above sea level with stone and clay soils, rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium. The almost 90 acres (36 hectares) of vineyards are spread over different altitudes with predominantly southern exposure. The vineyards enjoy an exceptional microclimate due to the proximity to the sea. There is constant ventilation, and strong temperature fluctuations, which allow for the cultivation of healthy, fragrant, and slowly ripening grapes. Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet are planted here as well as some white varieties including Chardonnay, Viognier and Vermentino. The iconic IGT Toscana Rosso wines Campaccio and Campaccio Collection and both made here, showing impeccable style, great freshness, and balance.