Every once in a while I catch an excellent tasting at a local wine shop whose peddling one of their recent arrivals. The latest offering I was able to try was the 2006 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia.
Hailing from the Maremma region of Tuscany, when loosely translated, “Lupicaia” means ”place where the wolf hunts.” It‘s a single vineyard of 12.5 acres planted in 1989 and consisting of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. The Lupicaia vineyard is Terriccio’s finest and yields its best grapes. Exposure is sloped, southwest-facing and the soil consists of stones and sand which are sheltered by eucalyptus trees. The estate’s proximity to the coast also subjects it to maritime influences which create a long, warm growing season. Lupicaia production is supervised under the technical direction of consulting oenologist Carlo Ferrini. (Brolio, Mazzei, Fonterutoli, etc.)
The 2006 Lupicaia may be the best version of this wine I’ve ever tasted. It’s blackish-purple in the glass; completely impenetrable color. The nose of this young wine is already very complex and expressive: Crushed black fruits, fresh suede, forest brush, mint, cedar, and mineral are all present. On the palate, the wine is huge, with full bodied fruit, loads of impressive ripe tannins and acids. Balanced, chewy and brooding, this is one for the cellar. The black fruit flavors are accented by mineral, mint, and eucalyptus flavors. There’s a small hint of licorice on the finish. While somewhat of a “poor mans” Sassicaia, this is nonetheless, not an inexpensive wine. If you’re inclined, it will reward cellaring and the cost. 95 points, about $105.
I wasn’t able to take pictures within the shop, but here are some stock images for reference.
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| 2006 Castello del Terriccio “Lupicaia” |
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| Lupicaia: 90% Cabernet – 10% Merlot |
August 16, 2012
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