Rocca di Frassinello 2020

Tasting Notes and Pairing Suggestions for Rocca di Frassinello 2020

Tasting

Color

The color reveals an intense ruby red hue with deep garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of ripe red fruit, notably cherries and plums, accompanied by spicy notes of cinnamon. Floral fragrances of rose petals and kirsch mingle harmoniously with elegant touches of eucalyptus. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward more complex tones of sweet tobacco, citron and mint, enhanced by nuances of roasted coffee and dark chocolate.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals a dense structure and a full body. The tannins are velvety and supple, bringing roundness and completeness. Remarkable freshness carries through the entire tasting, leading into a long, persistent finish where the dark-chocolate notes re-emerge. The balance between power and elegance defines this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with structured red meats such as complex roasts. It also shines alongside furred game such as wild boar, deer or hare, as well as flavorful poultry such as wild duck. Medium- to fully-aged cheeses also make excellent gastronomic partners.

Serving and cellaring

Rocca di Frassinello 2020 can be enjoyed now, while also offering substantial aging potential that will allow it to evolve favorably through around 2040.

The refinement of an outstanding Super Tuscan from Maremma Toscana

The estate
Rocca di Frassinello was born in the 2000s from the entrepreneurial vision of Paolo Panerai, founder of Castellare di Castellina, and Baron Éric de Rothschild of Château Lafite. Located in Gavorrano in the province of Grosseto in Tuscany, the estate spans 500 hectares, including around 90 hectares of vineyards. The exceptional architecture of the cantina, designed by Renzo Piano and inaugurated in 2007, makes this estate the only wine property in the world conceived by the famed architect. Paolo Panerai remains today the president and principal owner, alongside Alessandro Cellai as head winemaker and Executive Vice President. The estate stands out for its unique philosophy of balanced Italo-French blending, combining 50% Italian grape varieties and 50% French grape varieties.

The vineyard

The vineyards of Rocca di Frassinello 2020 benefit from an exceptional terroir in Maremma Toscana, set on a hill with a prime exposure. The estate enjoys a constant sea breeze that eliminates humidity and moderates the climate. The soils show a mixed composition, with a significant proportion of limestone fragments, galestro and clay depending on the plots. The warm Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures four to six degrees higher than in traditional Tuscan winegrowing areas, allows for accelerated ripening of the grapes. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand, with Merlot picked in August and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Sangioveto harvested in September.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage is particularly significant as it marks the estate’s twentieth anniversary. Despite high summer temperatures, the year was characterized by excellent grape quality. The strong day-to-night temperature swing favored perfect ripening of the bunches, enabling optimal aromatic and polyphenolic concentration. These conditions yielded grapes of outstanding quality, ensuring a wine from Tuscany combining strength, intensity and elegance.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking for Rocca di Frassinello 2020 takes place in stainless-steel tanks, allowing precise temperature control during fermentation. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, followed by an additional 11 months of bottle aging before release. This approach gives the wine a complex texture while preserving freshness and fruit expression.

Grape varieties

Sangioveto (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Merlot (20%).