The Cupole Super Tuscan wines are usually made of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which didn’t get into their top tier bottles.

They are also regularly reviewed and rated by Antonio Galloni and Stephen Tanzer which speaks volumes about the high quality level.

The 2005 adds in Petit Verdot plus local grapes – 4% Cesanese and 2% Uva di Troia – to the backbone of 47% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This makes for an extremely unusual Super Tuscan grape blend.

This is classed as an IGT wine, and not a DOC or DOCG because of the blend of the grapes.  When a winemaker decides to use the IGT classification, it’s for reasons of freedom; any grapes can be used and the local wine laws don’t need to be followed.

In doing so – and proverbially thumbing his nose to the DOCG rules – winemaker Andrea Franchetti has produced a delicious wine.  We opened it at 12 years old, so it is developed, and its long finish augmented by some seriously complex layers.

On the eyes, you can see the age – translucent garnet – with aromas reminiscent of port, tar, dried fruit and dried herbs.  The palate is dry with tamed tannins and evolved flavours of prune, raisin, bay leaf, oregano and salinity.

WSET Very Good Plus.  Drink now, don’t hold any longer.  The window is about to close and this ship will sail.  Enjoy!

Label shot courtesy of wine-searcher.com