Toscana Rosso Al Passo Tolaini 2022 (750ML)

Tolaini sorts the fruit for Al Passo twice, first in the vineyard at harvest and again with an optical sorter at the winery, and bottles the wine unfiltered. The 2022 divides almost evenly into 34% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in Chianti Classico on stone-strewn, limestone-rich silty clay in vineyards planted by spring 2000 at 6,900–7,300 vines per hectare and cropped at 60 quintals per hectare. Whole berries ferment in temperature-controlled steel with 20 days on the skins; the wine then spends 14 months in French oak fermenters and barriques, six of those months on its fine lees. Oak spice rises over cherry and mixed berries, Sangiovese sets the frame, Merlot fills out the middle and Cabernet adds weight. Being unfiltered, it may throw a little sediment. Think lasagna, grilled Tuscan sausages or eggplant parmigiana.