2004 Oriel Wines Taralula Super Tuscan

Mission Codename: Goddess of Eternal Light

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Sure a delicious and exclusive 100% Sangiovese Toscana IGT for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Oriel Wines

Wine Subject: 2004 Taralula Toscana IGT

Winemaker: Giuseppe Maria Sesti

Backgrounder:

In just the last decade, Tuscan IGT wines became the latest rage in Italian wine in the United States, however, their story goes back to the late 1940s when the famed Sassicaia wine was reportedly made by Incisa della Rochetta using Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, or so the legend goes.

Broadly, wines designated as Indicazione Geographica Tipica (IGT) could be considered vin de pays. Tack on the designation Rosso Toscana and you are talking about a broad category of wines often times called Super Tuscans. Most of these wines are Sangiovese based with the addition of other varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and all are unique blends that gives the winery much more flexibility with regard to the more stringent Goria DOC and DOCG designations.

Now ‘Super’ Tuscans are the ‘Bordeaux’ of West-Central Italy, expertly blended with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and often Merlot, Colorino and other local grape varietals. Today’s selection is 100% Sangiovese from the hills just outside of the famed village of Montalcino.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautifully dark and dense purple with subtle brickish and ruby tints through its dark but clear core and along the edges. When swirled, medium thick tears are evenly spaced around the glass and slowly descend to the wine below.

Smell – Bright, rich and ripe jammy red and black cherry along with notes of plum and other dark fruit that blend with exotic spice and clove, mocha, subtle earthy aromas. Balanced toasted oak with vanilla hints frames the pleasant nose.

Feel – Soft and velvet smooth in its initial attack and at mid palate the round and finely grained tannins, mouth drying minerality and tangy acidity make their appearance and expand to the corners of the mouth.

Taste – Rich and ripe red and black cherry blend with soft and balanced mocha, clove and other exotic spices. Soft toasted vanilla and oak, sweet cigar box tobacco with just a slight hint of green herbs also adds depth.

Finish – Very clean and medium to long in length with the ripe fruit fading leaving behind this wine’s mouth drying minerality and supple round developed tannins.

Conclusion – The 2004 Oriel Wines Taralula Toscana IGT is a delicious Sangiovese, showing great varietal purity, with plenty of approachable character. Pleasant ripe red cherry with softly complex supporting aromas and flavors with a soft, round and plush mouth feel. A great wine to pair with simple pasta, aged dried meats or even pizza. Drinking very well now, this wine benefits tremendously from decanting or cellar for the next five years.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Montalcino region can be seen in this satellite photo.