Turner & Cole Poggio del Falco 2006

The 2006 Poggio del Falco from Morazzano is a sophisticated, organic offering that embodies a wealth of flavor. In short, this pure Super Tuscan red from an exceptional vintage convinces us that sometimes dreams do come true: wine of this caliber is hard to come by and typically sells for three times the price of the Poggio del Falco. The 2006 Poggio del Falco epitomizes all that is good about the finest Tuscan reds and the haunting landscape from which they spring. Deep ruby in color, this unfiltered Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet blend shines in the glass and on the palate. It offers up a host of pretty scents and flamboyant flavors: violets, roses, ripe silky black cherry fruit, and a taste of Tuscan terroir all combine to form a hedonistic onslaught that makes the 2006 Poggio del Falco hard to resist. And in the mouth Poggio del Falco’s plush fruit melds to the wine’s ripe, textured tannins, allowing the wine to finish with both grace and style. No ordinary Tuscan red, the 2006 Poggio del Falco exhibits a purity and tantalizing charm that are hard to match. Although endowed with a wealth of fruit and forward charm for present pleasure, we suspect the Poggio del Falco will continue to improve further in bottle. We recommend serving it cool (59º F-65º F) straight from the bottle. With only a few minutes in the glass, it will be ready to please.

A tasty Tuscan red such as the 2006 Poggio del Falco provides the ideal complement to all kinds of foods. A myriad of pastas, meats, and vegetables take on a whole new dimension when paired with this wine. Poultry, fine cuts of beef and pork, even game, provide worthy suitors. Classic Tuscan white bean dishes served with crusty Italian bread and a few slices of hard cheese offer exceptional accompaniments, too. However, one of our favorite recipes with Super Tuscans is Quail or Pheasant stuffed with braised vegetables, porcini mushrooms, and a hint of truffle. And for a simple midweek treat, you may want to open a bottle of the 2006 Poggio del Falco to accompany grilled chicken served over bowtie pasta with a homemade pesto sauce. But one need not be Lorenza de Medici in the kitchen to enjoy this wine. The 2006 Poggio del Falco will make almost any meal or aged cheese taste better; and when all else fails, it will stand and deliver on its own . . . . so as you like it. Buon Appetito!

Turner & Cole Poggio del Falco is produced by Michele Barbiero at the illustrious Morazzano estate, one of Tuscany’s finest properties. The Morazzano estate is located in the hills of the Montescudaio DOC, just a little over four kilometers from the hallowed ground of Sassicaia. Morazzano and proprietor Michele Barbiero are renowned for their Brunello di Montalcino and Super Tuscan reds (full-bodied blends made from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet). All of Morazzano’s wines are farmed organically. Moreover, no added sulfites or other chemicals were used in making the Poggio del Falco – further testament to Michele Barbiero’s commitment to crafting pure, natural wines at Morazzano. In addition to Poggio del Falco and the outstanding Brunello di Montalcino that Michele Barbiero fashions from a 4.5-acre vineyard in Brunello, Morazzano turns out several other outstanding reds, including Ribuio and Re. Both wines contain varying portions of the region’s most illustrious varietals: Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet. The only caveat here seems to be the estate’s limited production, so we will have to work harder in the future to secure more of Michele Barbiero’s outstanding wines.