Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia 1998

Castello del Terriccio is a leading ??and very picturesque ??Tuscan estate on the coast north of Bolgheri, producing a range of Toscana IGT wines led by the Cabernet-Sauvignon-based Lupicaia cuvee. This wine, alongside the Syrah-based Castello del Tericcio wine, has achieved the top Tre Bicchieri (three-glass) rating in the influential Gambero Rosso guide. The 60 hectares (150 acres) of vines are planted across the wider estate facing the sea to gain reflected sunshine from the water. The main varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah, along with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The farm also boasts a stud farm, a herd of Limousin cows and 12,000 olive trees. Wines are generally fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in 225- or 500-liter French oak barrels. Lupicaia and Castello del Terriccio spend around 20 months in new oak and are bottled unfiltered.