Oliviero Toscani OT Toscana IGT 2012

 Oliviero Toscani OT Toscana IGT 2012

This was an intriguing offering from WTSO - Wines Till Sold Out - the on-line merchant, a unique blend of Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. WTSO offer deeply discounted specials in various quantities that invariably sell out quickly, hence the name. 

The producer Oliviero Toscani is known for Super-Tuscans, sourced from their estate in the coastal hills near the Italian coast, south of Livorno in the commune of Marittimo. The commune is in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region of Tuscany, located about 70 kilometres southwest of Florence and about 50 kilometres southeast of Pisa. 

Oliviero Toscani bought a small farm in Casale Marittimo in the sixties and spent the next three decades acquiring more land, planting olive trees and raising horses, pigs and Angus cows. In the late nineties, he was inspired by friend and legendary winemaker Angelo Gaja to plant vineyards. He developed a amphitheater-shaped vineyard at 350 meters above sea level with a breathtaking view on the Tirreno Sea. 

His son, Rocco, was born and raised on the farm but went off to study abroad and pursued a career as a photographer. He returned to his roots and Tuscan home in 2014 and eventually took over managing the estate, vineyards and cellar, focusing on producing wines that optimize the strengths of the vineyards and their distinctive terroir. 

This label is from the Monteromboli Vineyard, twenty-two acres of rolling hillside with iron rich, generous, intensely red soil of medium texture. It was planted with Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in 2001. It is situated 220 to 350 meters above sea level, with orientation and exposure to the South-West.

The Mediterranean climate consists of mild winters, rainy autumns and springs, with warm and dry summers.

This is a Super-Tuscan, as such, an Italian wine crafted from Bordeaux varietals, albeit with a Northern Rhone Syrah in the mix. The blend is 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. It was aged for 12 months in Slavonia oak barrels and eventually rested for about 36 months in bottles.

Its interesting that Rocco studied photography and he uses photography metaphors in comparing it to winemaking. "It may sound weird but making wine is not that different from taking a picture. I’ve grown up among images, and I’ve always been fascinated about the similarity that exists between these two forms of art."

 

Rocco Toscani says about photography: “Taking pictures is not about considering reality as an object, but making reality become an object. It is about putting dimensions back together: relief, movement, emotion, idea, meaning and desire to make everything real. Wine is about concentrating all in one bottle: vintage, nature, light, wind and experiences. We aim to find a balance among vines, tastes, smells, tannins and acidity. It is a matter of mixing a good amount of sensitivity and rigor in addition to a healthy kick of craziness. Everything matches. In taking pictures one can tell reality through sight. In making wine, one can tell reality through taste. Both arts are surprising and captivating."

 

Continuing the photography metaphor, he selects the three primary colors for his labels and releases the wine in all three. Furthermore, his logo is like a optical lense focus element on the colors and image as if not quite in, but coming into focus. 

This exemplifies the resulting style and character of this wine. We like big bold expressive wines and this one promised that, being a blend of grapes with those characteristics. It seems like each are competing to express themselves resulting in a cacaphony rather than integrating into a symphony of flavors.

 

Dark ruby colored, medium bodied, a bit disjointed, complex, bright expressive flavors of blackberries, black cherries and black currants accented by white pepper, spice, earthy herbs, game and hints of mocha on a moderate tannin medium length, acidic finish.

 

RM 89 points.  

 

While the listed release price was $56, WTSO offered it at the deeply discounted price marked down to $20. Notably, while the promise of a Super Tuscan with the distinctively unique blend was intriguing, it's value price was closer to its discounted price than list. At that, its a great, fun, 'pizza' wine for bold pasta or cheeses, or burgers.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3195088

https://vino.toscani.com/