Rocca Di Frassinello 2014 Maremma Toscana

Rocca Di Frassinello is a unique joint venture between Castellare and Domaines Baron de Rothschild-Lafite, the first partnership of its kind. The project couples Castellares experience in the growing and vinification of Sangiovese with Lafites experience in classic French varietals. Extensive research led to a site selection in the hills formed by the two sides of the old Aurelia in Monteregio di Massa Marittima. The first vineyards were planted on 17 acres in 2000; however, today, this successful project oversees almost 200 acres of vineyards in an unrivalled microclimate for native varietals. Rocca di Frassinello is the highest expression of this Italian-French project. A wine able to mix strength, intensity and elegance with delicate tannins which express its fullness. This wine was created from a collaboration between Christian Le Sommer, enologist of Les Domaines Baron de Rothschild-Lafite, and Alessandro Cellai. A blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot aged 14 months in French oak barrels. 

James Suckling scored this 92 points saying "Lots of chocolate and berry character here with hints of coffee. Full and dense with polished tannins. Lovely length too. Drink or hold."

and the Wine Advocate scored this 93 points saying "Brooding and thick, the 2014 Maremma Toscana Rocca di Frassinello takes all the intensity of the vintage and pours it into the glass. That's saying a lot because this vintage infamously lacked in intensity overall, although you'd never know it here. Rocca di Frassinello makes good on the excellent environmental factors that contribute to this wine. There is the sunshine of Coastal Tuscany, the light sea breezes and the reddish Maremma soils. This Bordeaux blend born in Tuscany offers dark fruit aromas, savory spice and bitter chocolate. The tannins are soft, but the wine does deliver solid structure to keep it firmly stitched together."