Mazzei Poggio Badiola 2022

Mazzei Poggio Badiola 2022, Tuscan balance for everyday life

I recommend this red for the meeting of Sangiovese and Merlot: two grape varieties that together make here a fruity, supple wine animated by a fresh edge that is very much present. The Poggio Badiola 2022 does not aim to impress with power; it relies instead on an approachable texture, clear aromas and a fruity finish. A profile that makes you want to sit down at the table without waiting for a solemn occasion.

A blend at the heart of Tuscany

Signed Mazzei, an estate carried by a family whose winemaking history spans more than six centuries, this wine is labeled IGP Toscana. Its grapes come from vineyards located at the heart of the Chianti Classico zone, at an altitude of 470 to 570 meters. They grow on rocky soils derived from limestone and decomposed sandstone. This origin and this altitude frame a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot: the former brings freshness and elegance, the latter a more supple structure.

Poggio Badiola follows the spirit of the "Super Tuscans", those blends mixing local grape varieties and international varieties, which appeared in the Tuscan landscape with the introduction of grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1980s. Fermentation takes place at a constant temperature, between 26 and 28 °C, with a maceration of 12 to 15 days. The wine then spends ten months in 225-liter small American oak barrels. This aging supports the fruit without erasing the fresh character that Sangiovese gives it.

In the glass, the nose opens on fresh raspberry, then reveals a floral touch of violet and a hint of blood orange. On the palate, the body remains light to medium, carried by a lively and refreshing acidity. The tannins are soft: they give a clean and pleasant texture rather than an austere sensation. The finish, clean and fruity, extends the aromas without becoming heavy. The oak is part of its aging, but the profile described remains above all fruity, with material that is easy to enjoy young.

At the table, for a Tuscany without ceremony

I would serve it with white meats, a plate of cured meats or pasta: simple pairings that let the fruit and freshness of the wine shine through. With a pasta dish, its acidity can offer a pleasant counterpoint; with cured meats, its soft tannins keep the pairing from hardening. It is also a bottle to open at an impromptu meal among friends, when you want a Tuscan red with character without seeking an austere tasting. Poggio Badiola 2022 invites you to take the time for a glass, then to pour another at the pace of the meal.