# Sammarco (2019)

- **Producer:** Castello dei Rampolla
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese
- **Region:** Tuscany, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €60
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, black plum, black cherry, cedar, cloves, vanilla, chocolate, earth, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Sammarco is an IGT Toscana red wine from Castello dei Rampolla, a family estate with a legacy dating back to 1739. The wine is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Sangiovese. The estate is situated in Panzano's Conca d'Oro, an area known for its exceptional terroir. Castello dei Rampolla has a long-standing commitment to biodynamic farming practices, which began in the 1990s, and has been farming its land using these methods for centuries. The Sammarco is recognized for its elegance and aromatic intensity, with the 2019 vintage specifically noted for its finesse and natural concentration.

## Interesting facts

- Estate uses biodynamic farming for 300 years.
- Vineyards planted in the 1960s.
- Indigenous yeasts used for fermentation.
- A blend of Bordeaux and Sangiovese grapes.

## Food pairing

The wine's robust tannins and full body are well-suited to rich protein dishes, where they can soften and integrate with the meat's fat and protein. The wine's savory notes and hints of dark fruit can complement the earthy and sometimes gamey flavors of lamb, boar, and duck, while its acidity can cut through the richness of sauces and cheeses.

## Wine making process

The Sammarco is produced using grapes that are hand-harvested from vines planted in the 1960s. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in a combination of concrete vats, eggs, and wooden vats, followed by skin maceration. The wine is then aged for 15 months in tonneaux and 12 hl oak barrels. Castello dei Rampolla employs organic and biodynamic farming practices across its estate.