CastelGiocondo Lamaione by Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black cherry, graphite, violet, sweet cedar

Palate: dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak

Pure Merlot Toscana IGT from CastelGiocondo's Lamaione parcel, a Brunello-region Merlot in the Bolgheri stylistic register.

What it pairs with

Rib of beef, dry-aged Find rib of beef, dry-aged on TableJourney →
Merlot weight for dry-aged beef.
Truffle pasta
Iron-graphite meets truffle.
Hard cheese with chestnut honey
Sweet umami amplifies the wine's depth.

How to serve CastelGiocondo Lamaione

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. Rib of beef, dry-aged, Truffle pasta, Hard cheese with chestnut honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Lamaione is Frescobaldi's pure Merlot Toscana IGT from the CastelGiocondo estate, first vintage 1991.

1991 — First Lamaione vintage

Facts

Producer: Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo
Grapes: Merlot (100%)
Classification: Toscana IGT
Oak: 24 months in French oak barriques
ABV: 14.5%
Price: EUR 50 to 80 at retail
Drinking window: 8 to 20 from vintage
First vintage: 1991

Scores

Wine Advocate 94 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2021)

Frequently asked about CastelGiocondo Lamaione

What does CastelGiocondo Lamaione taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, graphite, violet, sweet cedar. On the palate, dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Pure Merlot Toscana IGT from CastelGiocondo's Lamaione parcel, a Brunello-region Merlot in the Bolgheri stylistic register.

When should I drink CastelGiocondo Lamaione?

Drink 8 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with CastelGiocondo Lamaione?

Rib of beef, dry-aged is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Truffle pasta and Hard cheese with chestnut honey. Merlot weight for dry-aged beef.

What grapes are in CastelGiocondo Lamaione?

The blend is Merlot (100%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.

CastelGiocondo Lamaione