Le Cupole Rosso Toscana Red Blend

Poured into a Swan decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2018 “Le Cupole” pours a dark ruby with a near opaque, slightly hazy core. Medium+ viscosity with fairly significant staining of the tears. On the nose, powerful aromas of tart dusty cherries, currants, black plums, purple flowers, bell pepper, gravely earth and warm spices. On the palate, medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however the fruits are showing more desiccated which is made apparent on the finish. So Italian despite being more Cab Franc and Merlot. Drink now with a short decant or enjoy through 2030

Popped and poured. The 2019 version of “La Cupole” has slightly more Merlot than Cabernet Franc this year with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Initially a touch reticent and really only showing alcohol but that changed within 5-10 minutes of swirling the glass. After that point, this opened to show a fairly Italian expression of Bordeaux varieties. In the glass, the wine is deep garnet bordering purple with a nearly opaque core…the light just barely penetrates through. Medium + viscosity. On the nose, notes of dark cherry fruit, spiced chocolate, purple flowers, dried herbs and some earth. On the palate, red and dark fruited, cherries over plums with some cocoa and herbs with a kiss of spice. Medium+ tannins, Medium++ alcohol and I would put the acid at Medium. Finish is long and the texture is pretty velvety. Drink now with a little bit of air.

Loved this on release, so held one back to see what a little time in bottle would do. I think I prefer the 2015 younger, the vibrancy of the fruit and mineral notes were more in sync.

I’m a fan of this wine. Indeed of Trinoro generally but this wine particularly because of the value. It’s rich and bold, overt and delicious. It’s as subtle as the brash label.

2000 vintage in Imperial. Medium ruby edging on garnet. Pronounced aromas of red berry, red desiccated plums, dried fruits - figs and prunes and raisins. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and smokey aromas from the oak. Tertiary characteristics of earth, leather and meats. On the palate, the wine is medium plus body, medium tannins - lush, medium plus acidity and edging on a long fruity finish with an astringent tang. Alcohol is restrained and not dominant. The format has obviously kept the wine's development in check and this wine could have another five plus years ahead of it. Although it's not my style of wine, it's clearly a high quality effort.

Rich, good tannin, very enjoyable

Espresso and red rose, sage, sandalwood

Mind blowing.

This wine crushes it every time, so much value and complexity all packed together. Black currant and black cherry, espresso, tobacco and spice, fine stony minerality, savory earth and wild flowers. Delicious

If you ever want to throw a curveball in a blind tasting, through this into the lineup and prepare for mayhem. A delicious Cab Franc forward Super Tuscan that has so many qualities of a wine from Piedmont.