Grape blend: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Alcohol content: 13.5% vol
Acidity: 5.40 g/l
Residual sugars: 1.96 g/l
Rich, full-bodied, fresh and fruity... they may seem contradictory characteristics, but in this Viallino “blend”, unfettered by regulations, they balance each other. Torbolone is, in fact, a “small” Super Tuscan that deliberately skips the period of ageing in wood in order to favour freshness. The 2022 season was marked by a scorching summer with some rainfall towards the end of August, which resulted in the grapes swelling well and improved their juiciness. The richness of polyphenols and their ease of extraction made it possible to lower the temperatures for the phase of alcoholic fermentation to 23-24 °C, thereby preserving the more delicate aromas. After malolactic fermentation, the three base wines were combined and aged together in steel; in this way the primary notes of the grape varieties were enhanced to their best.
Tasting – Colour: intense ruby red that tends towards garnet as ageing progresses. The nose: red fruits such as cherries and plums, blackberry jam with a hint of sweet spicy and balsamic notes. In the mouth: despite the wealth of tannins, it’s soft and given the absence of woody notes, the wine is fresh and fruity.
Wine and Food Pairing – It’s a good companion for Tuscan first courses, from soups to pappardelle with ragu, but also for more robust risottos, for example with porcini mushrooms or leak and sausage, for “Strozzapreti” pasta with Tuscan kale pest, roast red meats, grilled cheeses, flavoursome cold cuts and medium mature cheese and – why not? – for a simple panino with cured ham or Capocollo…