Wine: 2007 Piaggia Carmignano Il Sasso
Region: Tuscany
Sokolin Price: $27.99
Rating: 93 RP
Our virtual wine journey this week has landed us in Tuscany, which is one of Italy's three very well-known wine regions (the other two being Piedmont and Veneto). If we had to pick a favorite, it would be Tuscany. We love what the winemakers there have been able to create with the Sangiovese grape. The newly released wines seem to keep getting better year after year, and they are a true testament to superb winemaking.
We took a bottle of 2007 Piaggia Carmignano Il Sasso (IGT) to a recent dinner party that we were invited to (hosts seem to love it when they see us walk in with any bottle!). Of this wine, Robert Parker said that, "...this is beautiful juice." After reading that, we figured it would be a crowd pleaser. And it most definitely was.
This wine is comprised of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. Because of its gentleness and grace combined with just the right amount of acidity, the Sangiovese grape is on the list of our top favorites. If you know the Sangiovese grape well, you can instantly detect certain subtleties upon the first sip or two. It has the signature traits of the grape - a lighter red color, noticeable scents of cherries on the nose and lovely aromas and flavors reminiscent of spring flowers and pretty perfume. With a silky and delicate mouth-feel, this wine is elegant and charming. These characteristics also allowed it to complement our meal very well. The hosts served breaded chicken that had the most perfect, light, flaky breading along with side dishes of mushroom risotto and green beans almandine. It was a refreshing step away from all of the hearty, rich foods we've been eating for the past few months.
And, if you've been drinking a lot of rich, powerful, muscular, fruit-bomb wines this cold season, the Il Sasso will be a welcoming treat that will just softly flutter across your palette and leave you smiling! It's a wine that is definitely worth trying.
Our Recommendation: If you have an upcoming dinner party or other event you need to attend and don't know what to take the host, this bottle would be a perfect choice. It's under $28; it makes for a nice gesture; and is simple and easy. On the other hand, if your social calendar looks a little bare this winter, pick up a bottle for good old you & join us as we virtually tour the world's greatest wine regions. This bottle is a great representative of the Tuscan region.