New Release: Poggio al Leone

~ New Cellars at Val delle Rose ~

In 1996, the Cecchi family purchased the Val delle Rose winery in the small town of Poggio la Mozza, which is in the heart of the production area of Morellino di Scansano. At the time of purchase, Val delle Rose had its vineyards roughly planted on 25 hectares.

Wanting to elevate the stature of the area, the Cecchi's began an extensive "intervention" in order to realize the regions full potential.   With soil studies in hand, and the known practices carried out in many other places, the Cecchi's were able to enlarge the planting area to its current 100 hectares and begin production of a new state of the art winery.  Today, the estate focuses on Sangiovese for its Morellino di Scansano and Vermentino.  

 

~ Sangiovese (Morellino) hanging at Val delle Rose in Maremma, Tuscany ~

 

Last month, we introduced you to Val delle Rose's exciting Merlot, Aurelio, as we began profiling this estate in a series of articles.  Today we're focusing on another new release from the winery, their Morellino di Scansano Riserva, Poggio al Leone. 

The 2013 Poggio al Leone, quite literally "Lion Knoll", is 90% Sangiovese and 10% other approved red grapes.  The wine spends 12 months in barrique and at least 8 months in bottle prior to release. The 2013 is not yet available on the market.  

 

In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby to violet color that only lightens slightly as your gaze extends to the rim of the glass.  I look at the picture below and it entices me.  Up close and personal, it was just beautiful to look at.   Does anyone ever stare at beer or coke?  Is that one reason wine is special or does it just make me a certified wine geek?  Are there certified beer geeks that stare at beer?  Don't answer that.... Whew, here endeth the tangent.  :)

 

On the nose, the wine offers generous aromas of  ripe plums, Christmas spices, vanilla and licorice.  On the palate, the wine is restrained and seems as though it needs a year or so in bottle to be more expressive.  Red plums dominate the flavor profile and there is an undercurrent of soft fennel.  A hint of vanilla dots the finish.  While this may be slightly straightforward now,  I think it will offer more in the future.  That's not a complaint, as this isn't supposed to be Brunello or Barolo.  What's more, it's a wine that should be an exceptional value when released.  Retail should be around $15.  89 points.  Disclosure:  This bottle was a producer provided sample.

~ Poggio al Leone was served with grilled sausages, white beans, sage and tomato salad ~

 Buon fine settimana!