Tenuta di Trinoro 2019
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Tenuta di Trinoro provides the greatest insight into Andrea Franchetti’s approach to winemaking. The proprietary blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grown on soils of limestone, alluvial plain, and clay changes each year based upon which grapes are the best from that vintage. It is not wed not to any predetermined recipe, formula, or even flavour profile. Tenuta di Trinoro showcases the distinct terroir and grapes from this remote estate at the furthest confines of viticulture in Tuscany. Richness and structure, depth of flavour and complexity – these are the hallmarks of his wines.
A cold spring, with a May that hardly existed there was frost on May 7th, which required us to spend the night lighting over 9,000 candles in our lowest vineyards to prevent damage during flowering. This was followed by a prolonged period of cold that delayed flowering, especially for the early ripening Semillon and merlot. Spare bunches, small berries, thick skins.
Most of August, it was so hot that the plants shut down they were already tired given the bumper crop of the previous year. This was followed by another drop in temperature at the end of the month, which paralyzed the maturation of all of the vines, especially the late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. 2019 was the latest ripening vintage we’ve seen in ten years.
We began the 14th of September with the Semillon, which was brought in over 2-3 pickings, and the first bit of merlot from the hillsides, with the heart of the fruit coming in around the 10th. The waiting period between the Merlot and cabernet franc this year was very short, with the franc mostly in by the 18th. Even with a rainy and cool start of October, we were impressed by the quality and quantity: 5 or 6 excellent parcels of merlot, the same for the franc, due to the smaller and tighter bunches with fewer berries, but more left on the vines this vintage.
REVIEWS
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 100 points: “This is a stunning wine and one of the best in this report covering the icons of Tuscany. The 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Fruit is sourced from the very best parcels, and the blending formula changes according to vintage and the style desired by vintner Andrea Franchetti. These vineyard parcels vary in altitude, ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, and the soils are quite varied with pockets of clay, sand and rock. The Trinoro is profoundly deep and pure with a solid core of black fruit that is framed by an elegant contour of spice, tobacco, smoke and crushed stone. To the palate, the wine is long and the finish can be counted in minutes, but the entire experience is beautifully streamlined and velvety. This vintage saw an important freeze event on the 7th of May, and 9,000 fire candles were lit in the lower vineyard blocks to fight off frost damage.”
Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 95 points: “This pure red is defined by its lively structure, marshaling the black cherry, black currant, violet and mineral flavors to a lingering aftertaste. Thyme, sage and oak spice accents add detail as this reveals harmony and superb length. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2043.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 97+ points: “The 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro is a surprisingly reticent wine. That’s not a descriptor I find myself reaching for often here, but it seems appropriate. Medium in body and quite nervy, the 2019 is going to need time to come together. The tannins are a bit severe at this stage. And yet there is plenty of Trinoro intensity waiting to emerge. Time brings out hints of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, mocha, licorice and incense. There’s plenty to look forward to. Drinking window: 2027-2039”
Othmar Kiem, Falstaff, 100 points
Eros Teboni, The Wine Journal, 95 points
Bibenda, 5 Grappoli