wine #33

Marchesi dè Frescobaldi
Tenuta di Castiglioni Giramonte 2004
Tuscany

In scanning our inventory for end of year, my husband and I decided to take home a bottle of Marchesi dè Frescobaldi's Giramonte 2004 and were extremely pleased to discover this wine still in stock in our cellar! Upon tasting our first sips of this elegant red, I was struck by the wine's voluptuous yet restrained nature and its powerful yet delicate palate. It is almost regal. This item was recently put on our inventory blowout sale so I would suggest acting swiftly if my words convince you. First of all, the name Frescobaldi is probably familiar to most, as this 700 year old winery is no less than a benchmark producer in Tuscany. Their ability to churn out many wines, yet maintain their vineyard profile and regional identity in each has been the key to their success. Ironically, the epic story of this top winery began at Tenuta di Castiglioni (the home of the Giramonte vineyard). This estate lies in the heart of the Florentine hills in the village of Motespertoli where the silty-clay soils and perfect sun exposure give birth to some of the most concentrated and memorable wines of Tuscany. The Giramonte vineyard, entirely replanted in the early 1990s, yielded its first release in 2002 and since its onset, has been garnering much praise and recognition. With a cépage of 80% Merlot and 20% Sangiovese, this 800 case production Super Tuscan embodies the characteristics of 'new world' Tuscany while maintaining its old world charm and integrity with such flair and finesse. Luca Maroni referred to the '03 of this wine as the 2nd best red wine in Italy in his 2006 Annuario del Vini and Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate describes the '04 as a wine to keep an eye on for the future. I have to concur with the critics on this one. From its bouquet of earthy blackberry fruit, mint, eucalyptus and balsam fir to its palate of intensely sumptuous dark red fruits and spiced oak, this wine exudes richness and profound character with its compelling and lingering finish of vanilla, cinnamon and menthol. Pair this full bodied, finesse driven red with your favorite roast and partake on a wonderful adventure.