Although the Tolaini Estate has been around in current form for the better part of half a century, it still remains an unknown commodity in the world of Tuscan wine. I’m certain, after my recent tasting, that won’t be the case too much longer.
Proprietor Pierluigi Tolaini purchased what became the Tolaini Estate with the dream of making first class Tuscan wine. He has succeeded. The estate is located in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, smack in the middle of the Chianti Classico zone. Atop the tallest hill on the Tolaini Estate stands a unique forest, known as Al Passo. This hill offers magical, breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside and sunsets over the towers of Siena
The 2007 Tolaini Al Passo is a blend of Sangiovese (85%) and Merlot (15%) and as such, could legally be labeled as a Chianti Classico. It’s a gorgeous bottle of red. Dark violet to crimson in the glass, the aroma is complex and along with ripe crushed berries, clay and forest underbrush are notes of funk: decaying leaves, mud, and barnyard. Very earthy and rustic. In the mouth, the wine is absolutely delicious. It’s medium to full bodied with ripe berry notes, floral tones, baking spices and herbs. Balanced and moderately tannic, this wine will surely benefit from short term cellaring. Enjoyed by all our dinner guests®, but I suspect that some will find the gamy notes of the aroma to be a bit challenging. Clearly worth grabbing some for your cellar. 93 points, about $15.
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| Tolaini Estate – 2007 al passo |
Thank you so much for this awesome write-up! Of all the Tolaini wines, the Al Passo is my favorite. I just love how the purity and overall quality of their sangiovese shines through.
Hi Joanie….
Thanks for commenting. The Al Passo was really delicious and I look forward to following this producer more. They're definitely not "on the radar" so for now, this is a great find that you can afford to stock up on.