This IGT Toscana was produced by Paolo Caciorgna and his small family azienda not far from Siena. Tony Sasa told me that Paolo and his family make this wine for themselves and their friends. If so, what a gift.
On first drinking: Rich, with fruit and acidity beautifully balanced, the first impression is of black cherries, followed by a deep aroma of tobacco. Now, the morning after it was opened, the nose is mild, pure and more complex than it was the first hour or two after opening.
On tasting it now at 8:30 AM (how I suffer for my art), the tannins have given ground to the acidity, and the impression of cherries has given way to a sharper grape flavor: true vinosity, a hallmark of Caciorgna's winemaking style.
Either way, "Macchie" is a lovely food wine. It's even good on its own, right after toast with strawberry jam.
Tony didn't tell me which grape varieties were used to make this wine. Sangiovese seems to predominate, of course, what with the acidity, and the location. But is it blended with Merlot? Cabernet Sauvignon? Or something more plummily aromatic? Maybe he or Paolo will tell us.
and did you save a bottle for us to try?
Posted by: Fredric Koeppel | September 02, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Sorry...only got one.
I'd offer to save it for another week but I suspect that it wouldn't be so good. So I'll do the right thing and drink it all up.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | September 02, 2006 at 11:49 AM
well, yes, one must do the right thing.....
Posted by: Fredric Koeppel | September 02, 2006 at 03:44 PM