Last Wednesday evening was the first event we have ever done with the wines from both of Andrea Franchetti’s properties – Tuscany & Sicily. The event was a tasting & dinner with Dr Elena Capobianco & Alex Burge (Andrea’s export managers) @ Shoreditch House.
A bit of background for those who don’t know Andrea Franchetti or his wines. Most importantly he is a Bordeaux trained maverick Italian who creates sensational wines. He first established himself in southern Tuscany – Val d’Orcia – an area not traditionally renowned for wine making. Here he created the phenomenal wines Tenuta di Trinoro (taking the name of the estate) and Le Cupole (meaning Dome (s),) both super-Tuscans produced, predominantly, from Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. His next project led him to Mount Etna, Sicily and to the indigenous grape varieties of the region – Nerello Mascalese and Cesanese d’Affile. At Passopisiciaro, he established the most unusual vineyard – ash covered slopes of the not-quite dormant volcano (see blog prior to this for more info!). The results are spectacular and the wines have become massive favorites at C&B and further a field.
The format of the evening was a tasting lead by the charming and excitable Elena then followed by a glass of Prosecco (keeping the Italian theme going) and dinner with the only white Andrea makes and two pairs of reds.
Tasting Pre-Dinner
Le Cupole di Trinoro 2005 – Showing well, elegant style, lovely fruit…alas no more stock, if you have some start to drink soon but no rush.
Le Cupole di Trinoro 2006 – The most “Italian” in style, bruised fruit and a real food wine, becoming approachable
Le Cupole di Trinoro 2007 – A super charged version of 2005, very promising and the most popular on the night, try to resist for 18months I recon.
Le Cupole di Trinoro 2008 – to be released later this year, so much fruit with underlying structure too, impressive.
The 06/07/08 are all the same cepage – 30% Cab Franc, 40% Merlot 20%Cab Sauv & 10% Petit Verdot where the 05 is a little more Cab Franc heavy being – 50% Cab Franc, 30% Merlot 12%Cab Sauv & 8% Petit Verdot.
Tenuta di Trinoro 2008 – Massive in everyway but not at all cloying or OTT, so much fruit but such structure a 20yrs+ wine, fascinating to taste bearing the last two wines of the night in mind.
Franchetti 2008 – The first time I have tried this wine, I can see why it has been so raved about – amazing red, candied fruit and great structure, superb length….a real treat, wait 2-4 years minimum
Dinner Wines
Passopisciaro Guardiola 2008 with Beef Carpaccio, Calamari Fritti, Beetroot and Goats Cheese & Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli – This 100% Chardonnay is more akin to Burgundy that some international oaked style amazing finesse for a wine made so far south.
Passopisciaro 2006 & 2007 from Magnum with Roast leg of Lamb, wild mushroom risotto and veggies – I am a massive fan of the Passo (apparently pronounced Passo-pish-aarrow) – it has something in it for anyone who loves Burgundy, Rhone or Piedmont wines, I realise that it a convenient “catch all” but it is true and you should try it. The 2006 is a that bit more ready now as you would expect, there is a fruited sweetness to the wine that makes it so moreish.
Tenuta di Trinoro 1997 & 2000 with Cheese – I found these staggeringly good the 2000 was showing that unique aged Cabernet fruit, black currant but not one dimensional, structure still there and the peak is still a year or two away. 1997 is amazing as a wine but even more so when you consider it was the very first vintage of the wine. A superb blend of Italy and Bordeaux, perfect now and over the next 5 years……
A long and liquid evening that lead to the odd sore head the following morning. Bravo (or the Italian version) Andrea!! 
