Tenuta di Trinoro Rosso di Toscana IGT 2021

The cult wine and flagship from Andrea Franchetti – a relentless blend of merlot and cabernet franc, which in the 2021 edition expresses all that makes his wines so exceptional: deep concentration, complexity, and an unusually strong connection to the terroir where the grapes grow.

In 2021, it was merlot and cabernet franc that stood out, while cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot did not reach the quality that Franchetti demands. The final cuvée consists therefore of 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.

The merlot delivers dark fruit, intensity, and a silky smooth structure, while the cabernet franc adds tension, freshness, and finesse. It is a wine with tremendous depth and, at the same time, an unexpected precision and balance.

Tenuta di Trinoro 2021 should be decanted and served at 16-18 degrees Celsius – it opens beautifully over time in the glass and can be stored for 15-20 years without issues.

Enjoy it with robust dishes of game, lamb, or mature cheeses.

From high-altitude vineyards in Val d’Orcia – 450-600 meters above sea level – where the soil consists of chalk, quartz, and clay. The vines are over 30 years old and are planted with a density of approximately 10,000 roots per hectare. The grapes come from a total of nine microscopic parcels, selected among 45 harvested plots.

2021 was a dramatic year in the vineyards. A late frost in April was followed by extreme drought and heat, putting the vines under maximum pressure. With frost lights, drip irrigation, and strict green harvesting, efforts were made to ensure the ripening of the few clusters the plants could bear. A small rain shower in September revitalized the merlot, while cabernet franc and the remaining grapes were only harvested in October, after several rain showers and falling temperatures.

The wine is fermented in steel tanks and aged for 8 months in French barriques followed by 12 months in cement.

Only 8,590 bottles were bottled in May 2023, under the waning moon, as is the tradition here.