Caiarossa - Caiarossa IGT Toscana 2010

Caiarossa - Caiarossa IGT Toscana 2010 (92+ TSW)

The Val di Cecina is a magical and relatively unknown part of Tuscany. It lies towards the coast north of Bolgheri. It is here that we find Podere Caiarossa. Until 1998, Caiarossa was known under the name Podere Serra all'Olio.

In 2004, the Dutchman Eric Albada Jelgersma (also owner of Chateau Giscours @chateaugiscours and Château du Tertre @chateaudutertre in Margaux) bought the domain from the Belgian Jan Theys.

Today there are 16 hectares of vineyards where a variety of grape varieties are planted. The wines they produce are under the biodynamic flag.

Today I taste the flagship wine of Caiarossa. A blend of 26% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 12% Sangiovese, 4% Petit Verdot and 1%Alicante.

After the manual harvest, vinification follows for 20 to 30 days in partly concrete and partly wooden vats of 10 to 80 hectoliters. This is followed by aging in French oak barrels and tonneaux for a period of 11 months (up to 20 months for Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon). Finally, the wine further settles for 6 months in concrete vats before being bottled.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a intense ruby red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of black cherries, red currants and dark berries with hints of cacao, young leather, sweet spices, cedar and light vanilla.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium acidity and medium+ ripe tannins. Flavours of ripe blackberries, black cherries, liquorice, dark chocolate, wet earth and cedar. Long and spicy finish.