Ratings
Falstaff 93 points (2022 vintage) · Wine Spectator Top 100 (2023 vintage · 94 points)
Awards
Wine Spectator Top 100 wines of the world 2023 (23rd place · 94 points)
Identity
| Producer | Rocca di Frassinello |
| Vol | 1.5 |
| Classification | DOC |
| Grapes | 40% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah |
| Color | Red |
| Sweetness | Dry |
Tasting
| Color Desc | Deep ruby red |
| Aroma | Ripe red fruits, blackberry, spice, tobacco, balsamic notes, chocolate, vanilla, lavender, violet, sage, dried herbs, ripe red and black cherry, balsamic, roasted coffee beans |
| Palate | Full, smooth, balanced palate with long finish; notes of forest undergrowth, supported by fine silky tannins; juicy fruit, cola, vanilla, mocha |
| Finish | Long, dry finish with mocha notes at the very end; elegant and persistent |
| Food Pairing | Ideal with red meats, roasts, game, aged cheeses, meat dishes, cold appetizers, medium-aged cheeses |
| Aging Potential | 15–20 years |
Profile
Acidity (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Body (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Aroma (1-5)
HIGH
Astringency (1-5)
AVERAGE
Minerality (1-5)
AVERAGE
Enology
| ABV % | 14.0 |
| Aging Process | Aged about 12–14 months in barrique (50% new oak), followed by extended bottle aging before release |
| Fermentation | Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with separate vinifications; malolactic fermentation completed |
Terroir
| Altitude (m) | About 90–200 meters above sea level |
| Soil | Iron-rich clay and gravel |
| Harvest Type | Manual (exclusively by hand) |
| Harvest Desc | Grapes harvested exclusively by hand |
Interesting facts
| Created as a homage to the butteri, symbol of Maremma; joint venture between Castellare di Castellina and Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite; winery designed by Renzo Piano to use gravity in winemaking |