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Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2019: best 2023 to 2034.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2022 | 2019 | 94/100 |
| James Suckling reviewed 2022 | 2019 | 94/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: black plum, blackberry, sweet spice, polished oak
Palate: blackberry, dark cherry, tobacco, cedar
Ricasoli's Merlot expression. Dark-fruit volume and sweet oak with a Sangiovese-trained acid spine that keeps the wine taut.
What it pairs with
-
Braised short ribs
Long-cooked beef brings out the wine's dark-fruit volume; the cedar matches braising aromatics. -
Duck breast with cherry sauce
Cherry sauce mirrors the wine's dark cherry; duck fat finds a partner in Merlot's polished oak. -
Hard sheep's-milk cheese with quince
Quince pairs with the wine's plum richness while pecorino salt sharpens the finish.
How to serve Casalferro
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Braised short ribs, Duck breast with cherry sauce, Hard sheep's-milk cheese with quince. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Ricasoli launched Casalferro in the early 1990s as the estate's varietal-international counterpoint to its Sangiovese flagships. Originally a Sangiovese-Merlot blend, the wine has been bottled as 100 percent Merlot since the 2000s.
- 1993: First Casalferro vintage
- 2005: Casalferro evolves to 100 percent Merlot
Facts
- Producer
- Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Merlot (100%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- Around 18 months in French oak tonneaux and barriques
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 45 to 70 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1993
Frequently asked about Casalferro
What does Casalferro taste like?
On the nose, black plum, blackberry, sweet spice, polished oak. On the palate, blackberry, dark cherry, tobacco, cedar. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Ricasoli's Merlot expression. Dark-fruit volume and sweet oak with a Sangiovese-trained acid spine that keeps the wine taut.
When should I drink Casalferro?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Casalferro?
Braised short ribs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck breast with cherry sauce and Hard sheep's-milk cheese with quince. Long-cooked beef brings out the wine's dark-fruit volume; the cedar matches braising aromatics.
What grapes are in Casalferro?
The blend is Merlot (100%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.
Tags
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