Querciabella, Turpino Rosso 2013

92 points Wine Spectator
"This evokes black currant, black cherry, olive, cedar, tobacco and licorice flavors. Though sleek, this remains concentrated and coats the palate on the long finish. Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. Drink now through 2025.”

Vinous Reverie Notes
Winery: Turpino is a ‘mosaic’ of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot grown by Querciabella in Maremma, on Tuscany’s southern coast. Surrounded by a vigorous nature, the vineyards in Alberese are influenced by the proximity to the Tyrrhenian sea and benefit from a significant temperature range that guarantees a good phenolic maturation of the grapes while retaining balanced levels of natural fruit acidity. After gentle de-stemming, the grapes are transferred into three and five-ton oak fermenters, where they undergo a brief period of cold maceration in preparation for a slow and natural fermentation process which is prompted by the presence of indigenous yeast. The completion of the alcoholic fermentation leads to a post-fermentation maceration, during which daily tastings serve to track tannin development and stability. The wine is then separated from the skins by draining the tank by means of gravity flow. Only the resulting ‘free run’ is used when the wine is racked into fine and extra-fine grained French oak barriques, up to 30% new (tight grain for Cabernet Franc; tight-to-medium grain for Syrah and Merlot). Following 18 months of maturation, the final blend is made and moved into cement tanks for an integration period of 6 to 8 months before bottling. Turpino is solely produced in the best vintages. Tasting Notes: Youthful ruby. Elegance and finesse inviting floral nose. Delicate purity of fruit, roundness and depth, accompanied by fine and silky tannins. Food pairings: This wine’s voluptuous personality enriches the way lean, mildly spicy foods are experienced through your senses.