Castello Del Terriccio Wine Tasting

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

Hannibal Lecter  - Silence of the Lambs



We have a few great Italian wine tastings coming up when I hit a subject we hit it hard and we have one of our friends from Castello Del Terriccio in town with a vertical selection of wines from this great Super Tuscan winery located in the town with the same name and specializing Bordeaux varietals.   Here is a brief description of the winery by none other than the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner.

“Castello del Terriccio is one of the biggest wine properties in Italy, if not the biggest. In truth, only 60 hectares are under vine, but the estate covers a whopping 1,500 hectares with forests, olive groves and horse paddocks. Don't forget the restaurant, because there is that here too. In 2021, Castello del Terriccio inaugurated Ristorante Terraforte, with chef Cristiano Tomei from Viareggio at the helm. They serve creative dishes like spaghetti with prickly pear (sign me up), roe deer, fried rabbit, langoustine and more all sourced from the property or directly nearby. They make their own bread, the forests are rich with game meats and the fishing is great off the coast. Castello del Terriccio has unparalleled views of the sea and the mountains.

The property's legendary owner, Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana, died in 2019. Since his passing, his heirs have added the restaurant and have restored many of the buildings on the property. The idea was to re-open to the public, because it had been private for so many years.

In terms of winemaking, Castello del Terriccio has worked with consultant Carlo Ferrini for 30 years, and this has not changed. He is flanked by in-house winemaker Valerio Corsini. They have Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc, with some Roussanne and Marsanne that is not used in the wine program. They are currently experimenting with a 2.5-hectare plot of Merlot with cool northern exposures at higher elevations. And there is a new wine called Gian Annibale made with 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon to pay tribute to the man himself. It was produced in magnums and regular bottles (with only 3,000 to 4,000 units released) in 2020 and 2021. The 2022 vintage was hotter, so a final decision on its release has not been made.” – Wine Advocate

Join us as we welcome the Giacinta Pocci Muti Bussi to South Florida for a tasting of some vintage wines from the cellars of Castello Del Terriccio back to the 2006 vintage.  The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $225 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any dietary restrictions or aversions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

Castello Del Terriccio Wine Tasting
With Special Guest Giacinta Pocci Muti Bussi
Thursday, September 26, 2024
7:30 PM

2023 Castello del Terriccio Con Vento White Tuscany
2010 Castello del Terriccio Toscana IGT Tuscany
2019 Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia Tuscany
2006 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
2007 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
2010 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
2011 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany

Menu
Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie
Spice Roasted Chick Peas
Grilled Vegetable Minestrone with Parmesan Reggiano and Bacon Croutons
Homemade Pappardelle Bolognese with Pecorino
Iberico Pork Loin with Korean BBQ with Silky Carrot Puree with Five Spice
Schiacciata alla Fiorentina

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $225 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any food allergies of aversions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

A bit about Castello del Terriccio

In this hilly territory viticulture dates back to the time of the Etruscans, who between 800 and 500 BC dominated this area of Tuscany, chiefly mining for its abundant minerals (many archaeological remains have been found on the property). The Castle of Doglia, known as Terriccio, which dates back to the Middle Ages was strategically built on a hilltop because it was used as a tower for transmitting signals to the inhabitants in the low-lying areas, giving them time to hide in the fortified castle when Saracenian sails were sighted.

The Castello del Terriccio (Castle of the land) therefore dates back roughly 1000 years. Between the 13th and 14th century the bishop of Pisa, nephew to Pope Bonifacio VIII, in the name of the church gave the property in "emphyteusis" (a kind of low rent lease coupled with the right of assignment and the obligation to care for the property) to the Counts of Gaetani. At the end of the 18th century this branch of the Gaetani family was without an heir and Terriccio was purchased by Prince Poniatowski, an émigré or noble refugee from Poland, who owned the property until World War I. The Poniatowski family transformed the castle from its original function as a fortress into an agricultural complex designating land into farmland and deciding which lands where to be used for the cultivation of grain, olives and grapes, all which were the local produce of this area. This family also constructed the wine cellars, barns and farmhouses.

The modern history of the estate begins after World War I, when it was acquired by Count Serrafini Ferri, whose family still owns the property. In the 1920s the Serrafini Ferris' implemented major improvements to the property. This family laid the groundwork for the estate that remains more or less unchanged today.

Up to the 1970s the estate was known mainly for production of grain, it even held the European record for production of second harvest corn. This specialization in grain continues today but also in the organic production of spelt (dinkel wheat), corn, forage and olive groves – but this has been overshadowed in recent times by the estate's expertise and reputation for  viticulture and the production of fine wines. It expanded from 25 hectares of vineyards (62 acres) in 1980 to 60 hectares (148 acres) today.

Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana is from a noble family who followed The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and the Swabians to Italy and who, since 1271, have held farmlands and vineyards in the country.

Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana is an Architect of the Change and after inheriting the estate decided to steer Castello del Terriccio in a new direction, that of a Research Laboratory in Viticulture and a State of the Art fine wine production. But it was of utmost importance for him to safeguard the valuable historical legacy of the land, which has retained its character and unique beauty intact. Upon his arrival in 1975 he faced the challenge of managing the 63 tenant families called” Mezzadri” or “Metayer” who lived and worked the land. He had to oversee the delicate change from this share-cropping system to direct management.

At the time he was a passionate equestrian whose time was occupied by international equestrian events. A riding accident brought this pastime to an abrupt end when Gian Anniable's horse fell and rolled over him, leaving him without the use of his legs. He has accepted the hand fate has dealt him by having to renounce horsemanship but continues to manage the rest of the estate. To do so he drives a jeep across the estate, where many would not venture, to oversee the agricultural work in the fields and vineyards.

Cultivation of vines in this area dates originally back to the Etruscans, after which it was abandoned and then begun again. At the end of the 1980s a new phase of viticulture started, with the aim of fully exploiting the potential of the land for production of vines.  Today vines are cultivated under IGT- Indicazione Geografica Tipica.

Chardonnay was introduced in 1988 and Sauvignon Blanc in 1989. Red grape varieties then followed: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which exceeded all expectations at  Terriccio, producing better results than those achieved in their places of origin.

Research and experimentation continued in the early 1990s, with Syrah and Petit Verdot, used to experiment grafting techniques to extend the ampelographic range and in micro-vinification in the cellars to check the capacity for acclimatization and production.

The red and white vines are trained differently: red is grown spurred cordon and white is guyot-trained. In order to protect surface and deeper water table levels, prevent erosion and enhance biodiversity, vegetation is allowed to grow between the trellises (green manuring), sown in autumn. The new vineyards in total comprise about 5,600 vines.

There is a goal that's pursued at Terriccio having to do with vine production, especially after oenologist and strategic consultant Carlo Ferrini joined in the early 1990's, this goal is to reduce production to 900 grammes of grape per plant. This enables the estate to obtain a natural richness and concentration in its wines, that contain high levels of polyphenols, a pronounced structure that's accompanied by a particular softness and a considerable capacity for ageing.

The course had been set towards the production of the very finest wines and the first results were surprising: the new varieties produced wine that has all the heat, the light and the richness of this particular part of the Tuscan coast, bringing its unique character to the foreground.

In 1993 the research and experimentation finally bore fruit: Lupicaia immediately showed itself to be in a class of its own and in 2000, Castello del Terriccio joined it as another of the estates top wine selection.

For the first time the possibility was considered of planting new varieties that would offer higher quality results than those achieved with Sangiovese and the traditional white grapes previously cultivated. The choice of the varieties to be planted at the Terriccio was particularly delicate, following a careful selection of international strains, in order to ensure not only excellent results but also to maintain a constant level of quality over time. The selection of these vines inevitably entailed renouncing the right to the two local D.O.C. denominations -  Montescudaio and Terratico di Bibbona.

All the wines from Castello del Terriccio on SALE!!

2023 Castello del Terriccio Con Vento Tuscany
Price: $24.75                     Your Price: $21.78
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier this wine has a fragrant aroma, dried apricots, ripe peaches, and exotic tropical mango.   Pretty floral notes of acacia and freesia, white pepper and tarragon.  On the palate, this wine is fresh and invigorating with fresh briny character along with notes of grapefruit, lime zest and stone fruit with hints of almond on the finish. 

2016 Castello del Terriccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
Price: $87.75                     Your Price: $77.22
(91 Points)  "A warm and friendly nose of cherry pie and strawberry candy stays fruit-forward and juicy on the palate, with some depth added by notes of bitter orange jam, wild herbs and crushed stones. Firm but pliable tannins and medium acid make for easy but sophisticated sipping." - Wine Enthusiast

2016 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $136.50                   Your Price: $120.12
(91 Points)  A warm and friendly nose of cherry pie and strawberry candy stays fruit-forward and juicy on the palate, with some depth added by notes of bitter orange jam, wild herbs and crushed stones. Firm but pliable tannins and medium acid make for easy but sophisticated sipping. — Danielle Callegari  Wine Enthusiast

2015 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Magnum
Price: $306.00                   Your Price: $269.28
2015 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia
Price: $136.50                   Your Price: $120.12
(96 Points) In the 2015 Lupicaia, the percentage of Petit Verdot used in the blend was reduced slightly in favor of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage is beautiful, generous and full. Aged for 18 to 24 months in new French oak, there are some lovely balsamic notes in here but not too much wood. The wine flows forth with abundant dark fruit, black cherry and spice. This is a great effort from Castello del Terriccio.  Wine Advocate

2013 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $136.50                   Your Price: $120.12
It is the leading wine of the farm - the wine which has made the estate world-renowned. This rich Super Tuscan has considerable ageing potential and it is one of the finest made; its debut vintage, as well as all following vintages, achieved the coveted Tre Bicchieri award. The two characteristic red-brown parallel segments on the label symbolize the typical red colour of the soil in the vineyards.
Lupicaia is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, vinified from only the best of the carefully selected grapes, and aged for 18-24 months in new French oak barrels. A heady blend of crushed black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas precede plush blackcurrant, dark chocolate and mint-laced fruit with mineral aspect and a sculpting acity. Tannins are big, round and soft before an eternal finish.

2011 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany Magnum
Price: $306.00                   Your Price: $269.28
2011 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $136.50                   Your Price: $120.12
(94 Points) There is evident heat to the fruit in the 2011 Lupicaia, but the balsam intensity or tertiary aromas also come through. The wine shows green notes of grilled herb and a sharper, more defined level of fruit intensity. The wine is profound and deep. The tannins are very well integrated, and the wine shows a vertical softness that makes this vintage stand out from the rest. I could see it pairing nicely with the classic Tuscan veal stew, spezzatino di vitello.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2010 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $180.00                   Your Price: $158.40
It is the leading wine of the farm - the wine which has made the estate world-renowned. This rich Super Tuscan has considerable ageing potential and it is one of the finest made; its debut vintage, as well as all following vintages, achieved the coveted Tre Bicchieri award. The two characteristic red-brown parallel segments on the label symbolize the typical red colour of the soil in the vineyards.

Lupicaia is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, vinified from only the best of the carefully selected grapes, and aged for 18-24 months in new French oak barrels. A heady blend of crushed black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas precede plush blackcurrant, dark chocolate and mint-laced fruit with mineral aspect and a sculpting acity. Tannins are big, round and soft before an eternal finish.

2010 Castello del Terriccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
Price: $87.75                     Your Price: $77.22
The 2010 vintage developed perfectly, with slow and gradual growth, mainly due to a cool and rainy spring and a summer with temperatures perfectly in line with the seasonal average and little rainfall. The harvest began about 10 days late for all varieties. Helped by splendid late summer weather, we harvested grapes rich in polyphenols,  acidity and sugars in excellent conditions. The strong temperature range between day and night helped us to maintain the aromas, so as to give the wine great complexity.
Harvest period: The grape picking, carried out strictly by hand, begins in mid-September for the Syrah and Petit Verdot grapes. After a first selection in the vineyards at the time of the manual picking, the grapes are selected again in the cellar on the sorting table.
Winemaking notes: After the manual selection on the sorting table, the grapes are gently de-stemmed and pressed carefully, in order to not breakthe skin of the berries. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in open-cap stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature, with maceration of the grapes for about 20 days. Daily délestages allowed the extraction of the aromatic bouquet and the right tannic balance, with an important structure that will allow a long aging.
Aging: The ageing takes place in new French oak tonneaux for a period of about 22 months and is subsequently assembled and bottled.

2007 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany Magnum
Price: $430.50                   Your Price: $378.84
2007 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $151.00                   Your Price: $132.88
(94 points) The 2007 Lupicaia caresses the palate with layers of dark red fruit, sweet herbs, tobacco and licorice. This is a fleshy, radiant Lupicaia with lovely juiciness and fine overall balance. Hints of smoke, tar and autumn leaves add complexity on the finish. Next to the Tassianaia, Lupicaia comes across as decidedly understated, but the full breadth of its personality will emerge over time. Minty, floral notes waft from the glass on the delicate, refined finish. The 2007 Lupicaia is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in French oak. (AG) (8/2011)  Wine Advocate

2006 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany
Price: $151.50                   Your Price: $133.32
(92 Points)  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this offers a beautiful bouquet that's redolent of sweet cherry, candied fruit, Christmas spice and potpourri. The palate shows a soft richness that's balanced and lively without being cloying or heavy.  Wine Enthusiast

2004 Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia MAGNUM
Price: $350.00                   Your Price: $308.00
(93 Points) "Lupicaia (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot) is said to be influenced by the eucalyptus trees that border the vineyard. Indeed, spicy green notes reminiscent of pungent peppercorn distinguish this wine and are at the core of a complex embroidery of aromas that include black fruit, spice and vanilla. Hold for five years."  Wine Enthusiast