Wine Tasting - Tenuta di Trecciano I Campacci 2008

"I think it is a great error to consider a heavy tax on wines as a tax on luxury. On the contrary, it is a tax on the health of our citizens." 

 -- Thomas Jefferson

Greetings to everyone and apologies to Thomas Jefferson that the wrong has not been righted!

Let's take a journey back to Sunday, April 17th.  Tiffany and I shall invite you, in part, to a wine class which we partook, "The Wines of Tuscany".  It was the sixth of nine wines that we sampled that day.  Perhaps Reviewer B went overboard on their rating?  Hmm... 

Point Score A:  93

Point Score B:  97
Wine Spectator Magazine:  91

2008 Tenuta di Trecciano I Campucci Toscana

Appellation:  Italy, Tuscany, Toscano IGT 
Grape Varietal(s):  50% Sanviogese & 50% Merlot
Retail Price:  $19.99
Vintage:  2008
Producer:  Tenuta di Trecciano 
Alcohol:  13.5%
Calories:   94 per 4-ounce

Tasting sheets as follows.

Review A

Review B

The vintner's website reads as follows:

"Grape Variety:  Sangiovese and Merlot

 Vineyards Characteristics:  Vineyard situated in the Chianti area on medium-height hillsides with excellent exposure.  Vines planted in a moderately compact soil.

 Vinfication:  Maceration is carried out according to the traditional method in stainless steel with floating caps for about 10 days at a controlled temperature (30-degrees).  The must is left on the skins for further period of 10 days to obtain the best extraction of phenol content.

 Refinement/Ageing:  An average period of 12 months in French oak Barriques before bottling, followed by a further refinement in the bottle for no less than 4 months.

 Conservation:  This wine is suitable for medium-term ageing (6-8 years).

 Color:  Intense ruby, deep and concentrate with a touch of violets.

 Fragrance:  Very fruity, with hints of spices.

 Taste:  A smooth, intense and round flavor.

 Serving temperature:  18-20-degrees.

 Serving suggestion:  Excellent with strong red meats, game or cold cuts.

 Availability:  In 0.75 liter bottles."

This wine was particularly rated high in both Fruit Intensity and Taste Characteristics by the both of us.  Reviewer B gave maximum score to both Nose Intensity and Balance.

Of particular interest with the wine were the floral notes to the nose.  Reviewer A noted "lilac" whereas Reviewer B simply noted "flower".  A slide presentation during the class shows a slide of the vineyard.  Guess what?  They plant thousands of flowers surrounding the vines purportedly to infuse this floral aroma into the fruit (grapes).  This method takes you to a most beautiful place in your mind when you take a whiff.  Your smell sensations are rewarded with complex deliciousness on the palate. 

Hi-dee hi-dee tax-free-wine-sounds-wonderful-to-me-ho my friends.