Barone Ricasoli - Casalferro 2013
Pairing Suggestions
After visiting the cellar and great barrel room we tasted this unique 100% Merlot from Barone Ricasoli - Casalferro 2013 (88 tsomw points)
In the glass it shows a dark ruby red color.
On the nose ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, bramble with hints of balsamic, pepper, earth, eucalyptus and some tobacco.
On the palate nicely balanced, solid, soft in the mouth with a nice acidity, rounded tannins and notes of red fruit. Not the typical Merlot notes but the Ricasoli version.
I guess this wine will be 90+points in some years.
Winemakers notes:
Casalferro was first produced in 1993 upon Francesco Ricasoli’s arrival at the company, and since then inspired him to begin his research into modern methods. Produced only during the best years, Casalferro is a pure Merlot from the vineyard of the same name, a single plot of land, located at 400 m above sea level facing south-southeast. The soil is brown with a fine clay structure very chalky and little organic content.
PRODUCTION AREA
Estate vineyard
Growing Season
The 2012 autumn and the 2012-2013 winters were among the rainiest of the last few years. The real spring began on April 10th when it stopped raining and there was a sudden change in temperature with extremely high average day temperatures. Summer had begun with wet soils but the high temperatures and the sunshine accounted for homogeneous bunches. The year was shaped in September: summerlike temperatures during the day falling at night (with a 15°C difference between night and day) that allowed a perfect technological and polyphenolic ripeness. To sum up, a quality harvest with healthy, perfectly ripe grapes. Merlot this year is fresh and of a deep ruby-violet color.
Website winery: www.ricasoli.it