Castello Romitorio - Iltoro IGT Toscana 2018

Castello Romitorio – Iltoro IGT Toscana 2018 (90 TSW)
Today the second wine review of Castello Romitorio but also a bit from Ghiaccio Forte.

The grapes are from the same estate as Ghiaccio Forte only the wine is branded under the flag of Castello Romitorio. Why? Because the grapes are vinified in Montalcino and also because the cellar in Ghiaccio Forte is too small to vinify a second wine.

This wine is an unique blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Petit Verdot aged for 10 months in French tonneaux. Really a great blend and absolutely within his price category.

My tasting notes:

In the glass this blend shows a dark ruby red dress with garnet reflections.
On the medium+ nose dark berries, dark cherries and ripe plums with hints of chocolate, lavender, violets and black pepper.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium+ acidity and tannins. Flavours of dark cherries, chocolate, coffee and spices with a nice long and complex finish.

Sandro Chia (the owner) had a great longterm vision when he purchased the estate at Ghiaccio Forte in 1999.  The geology is very special because you have the Monte Amiata (Vulcano) about 50 Km inland and the Mediterranean Sea at 25 km.  You can see the sea and the island from the vineyards and the air is filled with reflected light coming off from the sea like a mirror. Harvest in this area is usually two weeks to a month before Montalcino.  Flowering is earlier and the entire process takes the same amount of time but starts earlier. The sea protects from the frost and the breeze sweeps away the fog. The important thing is to monitor the harvest and pick at the right time because you are harvesting in early September therefore the summer energy is still very strong.

Ghiaccio Forte is located in the Southern most part of Scansano between two important rivers,  Ombrone to North and the Albegna to the South.  This area has been inhabited since ancient times because of its strategic location slightly inland from the coast.

The hill of Ghiaccio Forte stands like an island in the fluvial valley of the Albegna river valley.  Most of their vineyards are only 100 meters above the river and sea level and the rest are on the top of the hill at 200 and 250 meters above sea level.  All vineyards benefit from southern exposure and are completely protected from northern influences, this southern exposure permits 100% sunlight. 

Its an area populated by the Etruscans and the Greeks since about 1000 BC.  In fact the name Ghiaccio Forte is the name of an Etruscan fortified city that is only a few hundred meters from the vineyards.