Canneto Filippone Toscana 2015

Tuscany, Italy

Wine Spectator 90 points! (on the 2012 vintage)

Canneto Filippone Toscana IGT is a super Tuscan red wine gem made of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot. The Canneto vineyard, on the western slopes of Montepulciano near the wonderful church of Madonna di San Biagio, has a long tradition of winemaking. Since the purchase the current Swiss owners have restored the buildings with great respect for the rich wine growing tradition. The vineyard covers some 48 hectares, of which about 26 hectares are planted with vines. The vines are grown on moderately heavy, pebbly mar soil between 350 and 400 meters above sea level.

Canneto Filippone was harvested by hand selection of grapes in mid-September for Merlot and late-September for Sangiovese. Grapes were de-stemmed, soft pressed and subsequently fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature with the addition of selected yeasts. Maceration lasted 12 days for Merlot and 20 days for Sangiovese. Aging takes place in French oak tonneaux for 24 months, followed by at least 12 months in bottle. Black currant, bitter cherry, licorice, leather and sage are discernible in this rich, complex and well-structured red wine with a fruity and spicy finish.

“The black cherry, plum, wild herb and cedar flavors are matched to a dense matrix in this muscular red. Balanced, this needs food or a little bottle aging to soften the tannins. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2017 through 2027. 330 cases made.”–BS, Wine Spectator, 90 points! (on the 2012 vintage)

Enjoy Canneto Filippone with veal, pasta, osso buco, and aged cheeses.