2010 Tenuta Moraia Pietracupa Piccini Bolgheri, Tuscany

Bolgheri,on the Tuscan coast just south of Livorno, is one of Italy's most prestigious vineyard areas.Bolgheri first rose to prominence during the 1970s with the emergence of the so-called “Super Tuscan” wines like Ornellaia and Sassicaia. Having won universal acclaim and selling for unprecedented prices, the authorities relented and awarded Bolgheri its own DOC. Due to the particular characteristics of the soil and micro climate, sunny, dry and moderately windy, the grape varieties of Bordeaux origin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, tend to thrive. The best known “Super Tuscan” producers are Tenuta San Guido who produce Sassicaia, Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia who produce Ornellaia, Ca'Marcanda of Gaja and Guado al Tasso of Antinori. Among these giants a number of lesser known brands are well worth your consideration.

This deep red is a blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Merlot. It shows pristine, lively accents of cherry, blackberry, red fruits, licorice, coffee... all enveloping notes of vanilla. The palate is deep, soft, elegant and intensely fruity. The finish is long and persistence. At the table, Bolgheri Pietracupa looks good with game, as well as upper-middle-aged cheeses. One of the very last available wines from the famed 2010 vintage, this is an absolute steal for the money and no cellar should be without a dozen or two.