Super Tuscan Wine Tasting at The New Wine Watch Store

"At least once a day you should do something purely for enjoyment, and wine is my way of relaxing." - Young Uck Kim, Wine Collector

We try to do things that are relaxing more than once a day here at the Wine Watch… but that's just us...

Italy has some of the world’s greatest wines and some of the most age worthy can be found in Tuscany but they make a wider variety of wines than anywhere else on Earth in Italy.  So, I thought it would be fun to show our “Wine Drinking People” some of Tuscany’s new top SuperTuscan’s.

Piero Antinori created the Super Tuscan category in 1971 when he applied for DOCG status for one of his Chiantis and was denied because the wine contained a foreign grape Cabernet Sauvignon.  At that time, you had to put 10% white grapes into Chainti Classico to get the approval of the DOCG.  This wine became known as Tignanello, the name of the vineyard site where the grapes are grown and the rest is history. Everyone started planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Tuscany and in other parts of Italy to get in on the latest and greatest trend- defying the wine government and making wines that had fantasy names instead of the name of the region where they were born.

The Super Tuscan category is still red hot today and there are a lot of great new producers that are making blends that defy their origins and thus the IGT category was created. Although these wines are born in Tuscany they have a more international flair to them and appeal to our California Cabernet drinkers more than the traditional Sangiovese based wines made here in the past.

Join us as we experience 8 new Super Tuscan wines going back to the epic 2006 vintage.  Toni Lampasone will be making a special meal to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this tasting is $95 per person and includes dinner and gratuity, only tax is additional.  For Reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

New Super Tuscan Wine Tasting in the Wine Cave at Wine Watch
Friday, June 29th
7:30pm

Caiarossa Bianco 2015
Price: $45.75       Sale $40.26

This elegant and balanced wine is an expression of both varietal Viognier and Chardonnay cultivated on the most chalky terroir of the estate.

Caiarossa Pergolaia 2010
Price: $25.25       Sale $22.22

(90 Points) The ripe plum and black cherry flavors are fresh, backed by firm, dusty tannins. Leather, tobacco and herb accents add depth as this persists on the finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2016 through 2024. Wine Spectator

Caiarossa Aria 2013
Price: $45.75       Sale $40.26

A blend of Cabenert Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Crispness and admirable balance are the hallmarks of Aria di Caiarossa, a blend of four noble varieties that mirrors the estate philosophy.  This wine is notable for its spicy balsam, velvety texture, and dense, fine-grained tannins.

Caiarossa Caiarossa 2009
Price: $63.75       Sale $56.10

(93 points) The estate's 2009 Caiarossa is a typical wine from this part of Tuscany. Here the aromas and flavors are quite dark, powerful and brooding. Black cherries, plums, mocha, tobacco and smoke all flow from this intense Tuscan red. All the elements are very much in place. The 2009 is Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Alicante. (AG) Vinous (8/2013)

2006 Podere Sapaio Sapaio Bolgheri
Price: $75.00    Your Price: $66.00               Case $765

This wine is just starting to drink nicely, the 2006’s were shut down for a while but they are now starting to come out of their shell with dark plum and cherry fruit with notes of mocha, espresso, cured meats and sweet herbs coming out as this wine opens.  A big and chewy wine on the tongue with an array of dark berry fruit, tannins are still quite big but ripe and round with a bit of dryness at the end.  This wine could last another decade or more in your cellar or serve it tonight with at least an hour of decentering.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent 

Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia 2013
Price: $39.75       Sale $34.98

(91 points) The Castello del Terriccio 2013 Tassinaia is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in equal measure. The wine opens to a darkly saturated garnet color and a very distant point of amber as the wine absorbs the ambient light. It offers offbeat aromas with dusty tones of chopped chestnut and grilled herb. The fruit is not immediate nor is it very evident. Dark chocolate and toasted nut appears on the close. The wine offers balanced acidity and good structure. But the lack of fruit indicates that you might be safest with a medium-term drinking window. Monica Larner Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Jan 2017)

Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia   2009
Price: $157.50    Sale $138.60

Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia   2010
Price: $135.00    Sale $118.80

It is the leading wine of the farm - the wine which has made the estate world-renowned. This rich Super Tuscan has considerable ageing potential and it is one of the finest made; its debut vintage, as well as all following vintages, achieved the coveted Tre Bicchieri award. The two characteristic red-brown parallel segments on the label symbolize the typical red colour of the soil in the vineyards.

Lupicaia is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, vinified from only the best of the carefully selected grapes, and aged for 18-24 months in new French oak barrels. A heady blend of crushed black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas precede plush blackcurrant, dark chocolate and mint-laced fruit with mineral aspect and a sculpting acity. Tannins are big, round and soft before an eternal finish.

Menu

Selection of Charcuterie
Butternut Squash ravioli with sage goat cheese creme applewood bacon crumble
Roasted Ribeye served with shallot red wine demi and creme fraiche chive whipped potato

The fee for this tasting and dinner is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com