Barone Ricasoli
Casalferro Toscana Super Tuscan Blend
Tuscany, Italy
The nose is full throttle from the get-go—a surprise reminding me of my recent trip to Magic Mountains, as West Coast Racers is a roller coaster with no slow-burn climb uphill. Oh no—you zoom out the gates and go through a series of twisty-windy loops and it’s a shock to your system but then you’re like “let’s do it again!”
And so with this. That explosive nose is savory and earthy like a blackberry compote kissed by a forest spirit. On the palate the tannins are the epitome of velvety and well-integrated. I get all the aromas of the nose here, plus some more red fruit. And vanilla. And then again with almost an…iodine herb thing I always associate with Italian wines, no matter the grape. And then a hint of…Montenegro? Is this the wine for both roller coaster and amaro aficionados? Stand-up Merlot. Do it.
The nose is full throttle from the get-go—a surprise reminding me of my recent trip to Magic Mountains, as West Coast Racers is a roller coaster with no slow-burn climb uphill. Oh no—you zoom out the gates and go through a series of twisty-windy loops and it’s a shock to your system but then you’re like “let’s do it again!”
And so with this. That explosive nose is savory and earthy like a blackberry compote kissed by a forest spirit. On the palate the tannins are the epitome of velvety and well-integrated. I get all the aromas of the nose here, plus some more red fruit. And vanilla. And then again with almost an…iodine herb thing I always associate with Italian wines, no matter the grape. And then a hint of…Montenegro? Is this the wine for both roller coaster and amaro aficionados? Stand-up Merlot. Do it.
An interesting Tuscan Merlot, only produced in outstanding years, deep Ruby with aromas of black berry fruits, sweet spice and herb spice. On the palate flavors of blueberry and sweet cherry with vanilla, sweet tobacco and smoky oak. Fine elegant tannins, long finish ending with fruit and mineral character. Very nice!!
An interesting Tuscan Merlot, only produced in outstanding years, deep Ruby with aromas of black berry fruits, sweet spice and herb spice. On the palate flavors of blueberry and sweet cherry with vanilla, sweet tobacco and smoky oak. Fine elegant tannins, long finish ending with fruit and mineral character. Very nice!!
Jan 16th, 2021
Very earthy nose; smooth, tobacco
Very earthy nose; smooth, tobacco
1 person found it helpfulMay 29th, 2015Justine had this 11 years ago
Justine had this 11 years ago
1 person found it helpfulMar 22nd, 2013
A beautiful, robust merlot that's drinking in its prime. Lush and nose-coating, seamless from scent to palate, soft and truly sexy all the way around. Just phenomenal juice that's drinking in the very days of its prime.
A beautiful, robust merlot that's drinking in its prime. Lush and nose-coating, seamless from scent to palate, soft and truly sexy all the way around. Just phenomenal juice that's drinking in the very days of its prime.
Jan 11th, 2017
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
R I P E & F R U I T Y
R I P E & F R U I T Y
Sep 18th, 2016Beautiful stage of development. Nuanced aromatics, with a killer core of earth-toned red fruit, deep structure, and very well defined, yet polished tannins.
Beautiful stage of development. Nuanced aromatics, with a killer core of earth-toned red fruit, deep structure, and very well defined, yet polished tannins.
Sep 28th, 2015
Still very much alive. Powerful and rich and opulent but somewhat one noted for me.
Still very much alive. Powerful and rich and opulent but somewhat one noted for me.
Jun 1st, 2015Overripe cran, youthful, vinous, eucalyptus
Overripe cran, youthful, vinous, eucalyptus
May 30th, 2015