Grape blend: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Alcohol content: 13% vol
Acidity: 5.45 g/l
Residual sugars: 4.2 g/l
Torbolone was created over thirty years ago, to capture the strong, warm but authentic character of the red wines of days gone by in a bottle. It has always been "outside the box”, a wine free from regulations that combines the crisp, tannic vigour of Sangiovese with the softness and elegance of Merlot, without being aged in wood in order to preserve its freshness and aroma. The excellent 2024 season, with its regular rainfall in September (something rare nowadays), gave very well-balanced grapes that were sweet but with a fresh acidity. For oenologist Marco Cervellera this provided an opportunity to experiment by vinifying in various different ways, according to the grape variety, location and degree of ripeness, and to try using a higher proportion of Sangiovese in the Torbolone – a renewed wine, fresher, with the typical vinous sensations of this princely Tuscan grape, but already soft when young. All the grapes – including the Merlot and Cabernet, which were vinified separately – were harvested when ripe, but before becoming overripe. The vinification process, which involved frequent but brief pumping over, for a maximum of five to six days, resulted in greater acidity and forest floor aromas. Malolactic fermentation helped soften the wine’s potent character.
Tasting – Colour: intense ruby red. The nose: aromas of forest floor and red fruits, very slightly balsamic, with subtle spicy nuances. In the mouth: full-bodied and sapid, with young, assertive tannins but a finish that is already rounded and well-balanced.
Wine and Food Pairing – Perfect with Tuscan dishes (pappardelle with meat ragu, Ribollita), with roast red meats, grilled cheeses, flavoursome cold cuts, it also goes superbly with a simple ham sandwich. Torbolone is recommended both for moderate ageing and to be drunk young, seeing that it’s already smooth on the palate.