Piaggia Il Sasso Carmignano 2019
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep, intense ruby red. Cherries and Marasca cherries with elegant balsamic and spicy notes. Full and enveloping, with the charming elegance on the palate that is typical of “thoroughbred” Sangiovese.
Blend: 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot
Other Vintages
2021-
Suckling
James
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Suckling
James
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Suckling
James
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Parker
Robert
Piaggia is located right in the heart of Carmignano. The total vineyard extension is approximately 15 hectares, divided between the area of S. Cristina a Mezzana and the municipality of Poggio a Caiano, both areas with a great potential for top quality wines. Mauro Vannucci started this activity in 1990 because of his great passion for great red wines, with the aim to produce wines up to the standard of Carmignano appellation. In its almost 20 years of existence, Piaggia has managed to solidly establish its place among the great wineries of the classic Tuscan DOC of Carmignano, being called by Gambero Rosso “one of the best wineries in the region of Carmignano, rather, in Tuscany.”
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
With recorded history of red wine production since the Middle Ages, Carmignano is a small, ancient, central Italian subregion ten miles northwest of Florence. Carmignano grows Sangiovese with great success in low-lying hills of 160 to 650 feet above sea level.
It is the only Tuscan DOC that required the inclusion of (up to 20%) Cabernet Sauvignon in its Sangiovese-based wines years before it became popular in the Super Tuscan blends.