Tolaini Picconero 2020

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for at least an hour. Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the Tolaini estate extends over approximately 108 hectares of land, of which approximately half are occupied by vineyards. Here the vines can benefit from a southern exposure, and an altitude between 300 and 450 meters above sea level. The soils are rich in skeletons in the Montebello area and of a silty-sandy nature in the San Giovanni area. The company was founded in 1998 by Pierluigi Tolaini, who returned to Tuscany after decades of work in North America. The Merlot grapes are selected from vines planted in 2000 on silt and clay soil rich in skeleton. After fermentation and a period of maceration on the skins, the finished wine is aged in new French oak barriques for 18 months. Picconero shows an intense and clear color with ruby-red tones and garnet reflections. Its aromatic profile is broad and fruity with notes of blackberry, raspberry and small wild berries, followed by nuances of vanilla and liquorice. On the palate it is rich and round, warm and intensely fruity with soft tannins and a long finish that recalls balsamic notes. Excellent with roast pork.

Price: £68.02 from 8wines UK