Wine Tasting - Castello del Trebbio Rufina Riserva 2006

"Wine improves with age.  The older I get, the better I like it."

 -- Anonymous 

May the bluebirds of happiness poop cheer upon your day!

Uh-huh.  Another one of those fabulous wines that Tiffany and Chucky were able to taste during the April 17th "The Wines of Tuscany" class.  A highly rated wine worthy of the accolades. 

Point Score A:  93

Point Score B:  93

International Wine Cellar:  92

2006 Castello del Trebbio Chianti Rufina Riserva

Appellation:  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rufina

Grape Varietal(s):  Sangiovese

Other:  DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)
Retail Price:  $24.99

Vintage:  2006

Producer:   Castello del Trebbio

Alcohol:  14.0%

Calories:  98 per 4-ounce

Tasting sheets as follows:

Review A

Review B

A wine with bold dark fruit notes and extremely smooth.  Upon your first sniff you are ready to undress and dive right into the glass.  Your mind can barely refrain control of the arm and hand to grab and lift your glass!  And, when you finally do give in, the symphony performed on your tongue is worth every single taste bud that you possess. 

The vintner's website reads as follows:

"Company Objective:  To create a wine that is true to the nose and the palate of the Chianti region.

 Vineyards:  The vineyards are situated in the North East of Florence in the Chianti Rufina area.  The estate is Parga, a prestigious place known to nurture the characteristics of the Sangiovese vine.  The grapes of Sangiovese come in part from sections of the vineyards around 30 years old in part from recently planted areas.  These new vineyards have been planted with a density of 5,000 to 6,200 plants per hectare new generation plant stock.  In August the grapes are culled to around 5 or 6 bunches per stem.

 Wine Cellar:  Only the premium Sangiovese grapes have been used to produce Latricato.  The grapes have been harvested manually, in order to maintain the integrity of the thin peel. The fermentation was carried out in steel cylinders with a capacity of 10,000L, in the normal method.  The maceration, in which the structure of the wine was extracted from the skins,  lasted 8 days. The malolactic fermentation in wood is completed in December. The wine has been subsequently aged in the wine cellars of the Castle in small new barriques (2 years old) for 14 months and then for another 20 months in traditional 2,000L oak barrels. The wine has been lightly filtered before it was bottled.

 Technical Judgement:  Lastricato 2007 has a intense red color.  Aromas of mature fruit, cherry and shadings of spice. To the palate, well structured rich tannins, matched with a balanced acidity result in a wine with a good length.  The characteristics of this wine confirm the reputation of the Chianti Rufina Region as one of the top wine producing areas in the world. Careful selection of the accompying meal will ensure your enjoyment of this wine now, however it is more suited to cellaring.  The wine will reach a balanced full body equilibrium with maturity. 

 Serving Suggestions: 

 Meals with a strong spicy sauce

 Raviolo del Casentino

 Tortelli de patate ai quattro pepi

 Fagioli con salsicce

 Spezzatino alla toscana

 Aged cheese with a robust flavor

 Wild boar meat"

This is not a wine.  This is a gift from Mother Nature and Castello del Trebbio!  A very nice gift, indeed.

Hi-dee hi-dee never-overlook-a-Tuscan-wine-ho my friend.