Prima Pietra Toscana Rosso 2018

This is a passion project made by the folks behind Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino. Tenuta Prima Pietra is in fact located closer to the Tyrrhenian coastline, where the sunshine is brighter and the summer temperatures are warmer. The 2018 Prima Pietra is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage was not easy, with alternating sequences of extreme cool and heat. This wine shows a lot of Cabernet character, with some green notes of peppercorn and grilled rosemary. These results seem to rest on the cooler side of the spectrum with some rough, tangy green spice. Production is 33,000 bottles.

Intense, dark ruby with a light purple shimmer. The nose opens with notes of dark cocoa, some tree resin, then dark berries. Those spicy-resinous notes continue on the palate, alongside dark berry fruit, leading to a firm, grippy finish.