Sassotondo Tuforosso 2022

Edoardo Ventimiglia and Carla Benini founded Sassotondo in 1990 on an abandoned estate in the Pitigliano and Sovana hills of southern Tuscany, drawn by the area's volcanic tuff soils. Tuforosso is their young, accessible IGP Toscana red, named for the tuff rock that defines the terroir. It blends Sangiovese with Merlot and the Trentino grape Teroldego, farmed organically across this free-draining volcanic ground. The wine is aged in stainless steel rather than wood, a deliberate choice that preserves primary fruit and a vivid, unfooled freshness while keeping tannins soft and the volcanic minerality clear. Fermentation in temperature-controlled tank locks in the bright aromatics that stainless steel is suited to retaining. Expect a youthful ruby colour and a nose of plums, red cherries and other red fruits over dried herbs and black pepper. The palate is dry and gently warm at 14 percent, medium bodied and balanced by refreshing acidity, with a clean savoury finish carrying an earthy, mineral note from the soil. Serve at around 15 to 16 degrees. It is an easy table red for weeknight cooking, charcuterie and tomato-based pasta.