Rocca di Frassinello, Marema Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2010

Rocca di Frassinello is a joint venture between Paolo Panerai of Castellare in Castellina and Eric Rothschild of Lafite, and though the enterprise has been underway since 2001, the winery is only now nearing completion. This very impressive blend is comprised of 50% Sangioveto and 25% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Dark and intense, it shows very expressive fruit notes of blackberry and black cherry, with nice accents of leather and spices. The wood is quite prominent aromatically and in terms of flavor and finish, but the fruit is sufficiently substantial to keep it in balance. Half of the Allier barrels were new, with the other 50% having been used previously at Domaines de Rothschield. Ready to enjoy now but surely much better in five years, hold onto some of this if you can.