Morellino on the Maremma

From the Tuscan seaside, finely styled Sangiovese

The Maremma is that stretch of Tuscan coastline now famous in wine terms for Sassicaia and friends, but wine production here is a mostly recent phenomenon. Until the 1930s when the swamps were drained, much of the area was malarial marshland. But on the higher ground around the town of Scansano they have been making Sangiovese (locally called Morellino) for much longer, and this was recognised in 2009 when Morellino di Scansano was promoted to DOCG status.

Our favourite Scansano estate, Roccapesta, has been in the Tanzini family's hands since 2003 - Alberto called time on his job in financial services to buy it and pursue a more rural life. When he bought it there was one prime vineyard, which had been planted in the early 1970s, and this makes the backbone of the flagship wine Calestaia. Since then Alberto has undertaken the most rigorous examination of his very complex geologies and planted almost always with Sangiovese, his grand passion. Join us today in the shop when Alberto will showing 3 of his wines: the young vines Ribeo, the estate Morellino and the flagship old vine Calestaia.

Alberto will be here at midday for a couple of hours, after that you'll have to put up with us. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold