Rocca Frassinello, Baffonero Rosso

Rocca Frassinello, Baffonero RossoCertainly the most expensive wine in this tasting, the Rocca di Frassinello 2018 Maremma Toscana Baffonero is a wine of big ambitions. However, it follows an old stylebook that sees Merlot presented in a very rich, voluptuous and extracted style that is beginning to tire the market. The wine is impeccably made, with lots of dark cherry, cedarwood and smoky mahogany. With 15% alcohol, it has embraced the sunshine along the Tuscan Coast. If you're in

High-toned

Here too the more expressive nose is cool and airy with its spicy combination of red cherry

but it is among the most pleasurable wine in this tasting

vibrant and more refined medium weight flavors possess an attractive texture thanks to the abundance of sappy dry extract that buffers the moderately firm tannins on the slightly more complex and sneaky long finale

lingering finish

black currants and black cherries with suggestions of black pepper

there is plenty of size and weight here yet the overall impression is more one of elegance than muscle

cherry-vanilla and rose pastille aromas and a hint of Asian spices

a soft mouthfeel but with good grip

Deep ruby-purple colored

then held back for 22 months in bottle

Deep greenish yellow