Silvano 2017
“A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in oak barriques. Inviting notes of wild berries and plums, as well as some orange zest; full to the palate with crumbly tannins and tender acidity. A suitable match for roast lamb on account of its fresh, opulent make.”
Cabernet Franc 2018
“Aromas of fresh blackberries, spiced cherries, rosemary, sage and porcini mushrooms. Medium-bodied with medium tannins. Fresh and lightly chewy with a spicy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold.”
Cabernet Franc 2018
“Here’s a fun wine from Podere la Pace. With only 2,600 bottles produced, the organic 2018 Maremma Toscana Cabernet Franc offers a big dose of freshly milled black pepper that frames blackberry and dark cherry confit. True to the variety, the wine is inky black in appearance and generous in terms of depth, texture and length. There are hints of black olive and scorched earth at the back.”
Pittoresco 2019
“Aromas of dark cherries, strawberries, earth and sweet spices. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins. Structured, with a dark core of fruit on the center-palate and some chocolate undertones to the finish. A little jammy, but delicious. Cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Pittoresco 2019
“The 2019 Pittoresco is a blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. This potent Maremma red packs a ton of punch. Dark red cherry, tobacco, menthol, white pepper lend quite a bit of nuance. The only thing this could use is a bit more mid-palate depth.”
Prima Viola 2020
“This has aromas of apricots, cooked lemons, orange blossom, yoghurt and hazelnuts. Medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, gently oily texture. Round and layered. Fresh finish. Chardonnay and viognier. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Prima Viola 2019
“Incredibly terse and enveloping. It flaunts a sensory profile that is both spicy and spiced: jasmine, acacia, mandarine, freshly cut grass, white pepper, and walnut hull. The background is rife with fatty stuff thanks to a correctly executed fermentation on fine lees and unravels a further aromatic richness with green tea leaves and dried chamomile. A medium-full body, with an unwound and juicy sip, which it wraps up with precision and vibrance. A blend of Chardonnay and Viognier. Delicious right off the bat. Drink now.”
Pittoresco 2018
“Decidedly pleasant – it blends cherries, strawberries, sour cherries, red flowers and lemon rind in its main flavor profile. Medium body and soft tannins of a good make; the sip concludes in a genuine and harmonious finale. Drink now.”
Silvano 2017
“Radiant and essential, it interweaves notes of red flowers with nuances of cherry, bergamot, lemongrass and wild strawberry. Medium-full body, soft tannins of a good make and a tidy, balanced finale on the palate. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Delicious right off the bat.”
Prima Viola 2019
“Cooked-apple and lemon character with a stony note. It’s full-bodied and layered with lots of fruit and intensity. Chardonnay and viognier. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Pittoresco 2018
“Some reductive, cheesy aromas, followed by dark cherries, dried herbs and chocolate. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a chalky texture. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Cabernet Franc 2016
“Its solid, compact mold brings out opulence, muscle and character through black plums, blackberries and searing hot tarmac. The incense perceptive in the background combines with notes of wild myrtle and violet in a carousel that alternative blacks and blues to produce harmony and steady complexity. The tertiary features display tension and pleasantness in a floral element. Full body, velvety tannins, and a lovely finale of delicate might. Better starting in 2021.”
Merlot 2016
“Precise and dynamic. This Merlot is truly ‘made in Maremma’ and exhibits notes of red plums, black plums and walnut hull. A background of white almonds and cinnamon shows complexity and a noble soul in one of the greatest vintages ever witnessed in Italy. Medium body, rustic yet round tannins set in a good weave and a harmonious, balanced finale. Drink now.”
Prima Viola 2018
By Decanter. “This blend of Chardonnay and Viognier from the Tuscan coast offers summery scents of hay, peach, orange zest and blossom. Its slightly weighty texture gives substance to breezy flavours of summer meadow, sweet stone fruits and cutting lime juice, accompanied by zesty acidity and barrel spices.”
Silvano 2016
Score: 17/20. “A powerful blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot with no shortage of finesse: cassis, herb and chocolate nose, lively texture, very full yet also polished, with a lingering berry jam and spice finish.”
Prima Viola 2018
“A serious blend of chardonnay and viognier that shows a full body with a creamy texture. Ripe apples and pie crust, but then a minerally, stony undertone. Rich, but reserved with tension and form to the fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Merlot 2016
“A rich, layered merlot with berry, chocolate and walnut character. Some black truffle, too. It’s full-bodied with round, easy tannins. Drink now.”
Cabernet Franc 2016
“A pretty cabernet franc with currant, fresh-herb and chocolate aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with medium chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
Silvano 2016
“A firm, attractive blend of cabernet franc,
cabernet sauvignon and petit Verdot that
shows black olives, blue fruit, walnuts and
chocolate. It’s medium- to full-bodied with
chewy tannins. Drinkable now, but better
with a little more time in the bottle. Drink
or hold.”
Pittoresco 2017
“A subtle, fruity red from this hot vintage that delivers berries, hazelnuts and hints of walnuts. Rather reserved and not overdone. Firm tannins. Drink or hold.”
Black Label 2015
Score: 94/100. “The 2015 ‘Black Label’ from Podere la Pace is sensational. It opens to a stunning deep, expressive aromas of blackberries, cherries and blackcurrants that are joined by nuances of tobacco, spices, scorched earth, spring florals and hints of licorice all bursting from the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied and beautifully structure with big, well-polished tannins that are integrated nicely into the wine. It goes on to display excellent overall balance with a wonderful combination of ripe fruit and bright acidity leads up to the long juicy finish. This is fabulous today and also has the potential to have a drinking window that span decades.”
Pittoresco 2016
Score: 93/100. “The 2016 ‘Pittoresco’ is a fantastic showing in the vintage. It instantly opens to inviting aromas of cherries and dark berries which are woven together with tobacco, grilled herbs, dried spice and leather nuances that all take shape. On the palate this possesses a medium body that is well-balanced with a wonderful combination of fruit and acidity which provide a gorgeous freshness that persists through the finish. This is drinking excellent today and also has the potential to evolve for a decade.”
Pittoresco 2016
“This is really beautiful and generous with plum and currant flavors, as well as ripe, rich tannins. Structured and flavorful. Drink after 2020.”
Gold Label Cabernet Franc 2015
Score: 16/20. “Harmonious notes of black cherries, underwood and herbs to the nose. It is smooth on the palate, combining robust tannins with fullness and character; the finale exhibits lingering fruity notes.”
Gold Label Merlot 2015
“This shows really pure merlot character with notes of dark plums, mulberries, elderberries, cedar, vanilla and dried tobacco. Full body, ripe yet grainy tannins and a chewy finish. Drink in 2022.”
Gold Label Cabernet Franc 2015
“A decadent nose showing blackberry pie, elderberry compote, kirsch, plum liqueur and plenty of vanilla and cloves. Full body, very chewy tannins, a driven line of acidity and a long, very spicy finish. Drink in 2024.”
Black Label 2015
“An enticing nose that shows iodine, freshly picked blackcurrants, dried herbs, ink, dried sage and pine needles. Full-bodied and chewy with all the rich blue fruit freshly framed in a sturdy tannin backbone. The vibrant acidity gracefully guides this through to a long finish. A blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot. Drink in 2021.”
White Label 2016
“This is on the verge of being too ripe with a touch of marzipan, but there are fresh pine nuts, apricot pie and apple crumble behind it. Full body, an oily texture and a grapefruit-soaked finish. Drink now. A blend of chardonnay and viognier.”
Gold Label Cabernet Franc 2015
The Merano WineFestival, a prestigious international wine organization, awarded the Excellence Mark (88.00-89.99/100 points) to our 2015 Gold Label Cabernet Franc among 5,000 wines for “the high quality expressing pleasantness, elegance and a harmonious interplay.”
Black Label 2014
Score: 88/100. “This blend shows dark fruit highlighted by secondary aromas of cocoa, coffee and bitter cranberry. The flavors turn a touch sour on the palate and the tannins are not quite in check with the acidity and fruit, but there is still enough concentration and well-integrated oak to make this an enjoyable and ageable wine over the short term. Enjoy before 2020.”
Red Label 2014
Score: 90/100. “Generous amounts of ripe red and black cherry, blackberry and currant aromas meet a healthy dose of smoked cedar and vanilla. The wine is full in body, yet fresh, picking up some black pepper spice towards the finish. It’s a well-balanced wine that will improve through 2020.”
Black Label 2014
Score: 93/100. “A full and chewy red with berry and cherry character. Made from a blend of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Needs two or three years to soften.”
Red Label 2014
Score: 92/100. “A clean and fruity red with currant, blackberry and dark chocolate. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Made from a blend of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drink now.”
Gold Label 2013
100% Cabernet Franc. “Dense ruby colour, packed with typical Cabernet Franc aromas of cranberry, bell pepper, earth with a lifted floral fragrance. Palate has benchmark crunchy acidity and flavours of brambles and wild herbs. The firm tannins give tight structure to the smooth body, finishes with the warmth of Maremma. Delicious.”
White Label 2015
Score: 91/100. “A white with beautiful ripe and rich fruit, from pineapples to peaches. Full body, dense and flavorful. Almost late harvest style but very dry. Drink now.”
Gold Label 2013
100% Cabernet Franc. Score: 92/100. “The fruit intensity and flavor is very impressive with herb and dark berry character. It’s full-bodied, silky and fresh. Really pretty. New one for me. Cabernet franc. Drink or hold.”
Red Label 2013
Score: 90/100. “A little rustic but plenty of sage and currant character here. Full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Bordeaux blend. Drink or hold.”
Gold Label 2013
100% Cabernet Franc. Score: 93/100. “A new producer in Massa Marittima, debuting with wines that already promise to be noticed (and remembered) in the future. (D.T.)”
Black Label 2013
Score: 90/100. “A new producer in Massa Marittima, debuting with wines that already promise to be noticed (and remembered) in the future. (D.T.)”