Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole 2021

Le Cupole is the second wine of Tenuta di Trinoro, an estate in the high, isolated Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany. The blend is built on Cabernet Franc with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, planted on clay and limestone soils that hold water through a hot, dry growing season. The valley sits at altitude, and the wide gap between warm days and cool nights slows ripening and preserves acidity and aromatic detail in fruit that would otherwise turn jammy. Vinification is straightforward and low intervention, with the wine raised in cement rather than new oak so the tank's neutral, breathable concrete softens the tannins and rounds the texture without adding wood flavour. Farming is sustainable. The colour is deep and saturated. The nose runs to ripe plum and black cherry, cracked black pepper, tobacco and a turned-earth savouriness, with liquorice underneath. The palate is full and warm at 15%, with firm but ripe tannins, dark fruit and a long, dry, slightly peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 18C and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast beef, lamb and hard aged cheese.