Avignonesi Capannelle 50 & 50 Toscana 2020

Avignonesi Capannelle 50 & 50, the Tuscan alliance

There are wines whose story begins around a table: this one was born from a friendship and a tasting game between two producers. In the glass, the Avignonesi Capannelle 50 & 50 Toscana 2020 blends Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts. I love this meeting between the roundness of the first and the more rustic character of the second, highlighted by patient aging and a profile that is both fruity and nuanced.

A sharing cuvée at the heart of Tuscany

Classified IGP Toscana, this red is produced by the Avignonesi estate, in the heart of Tuscany. Its origin dates back to a dinner between Raffaele Rossetti, then owner of the Capannelle winery, and the Avignonesi brothers. While comparing their wines, they had fun blending them; this improvised experiment gave birth to the cuvée, first produced in 1988. The 2020 vintage continues this story of collaboration, without erasing the identity of the two grape varieties that make it up: 50% Merlot and 50% Sangiovese.

The work in the vineyard and the cellar follows an organic approach; the wine is also vegan. The estate cultivates more than 170 hectares of vineyards in biodynamics and favors organic products as well as homeopathic treatments. The harvest and the selection of grapes are carried out by hand. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, at controlled temperature, before 24 months of aging in barrique, then 12 months in bottle. This time gives the wine the chance to settle before its release, without its fruity expression disappearing.

To the eye, its brilliant ruby red robe is accented with garnet reflections. The nose opens with notes of rum, cherry and plum compote, then reveals more subtle nuances of dried rose petals, tomato and smoke. On the palate, I find it juicy and balanced, with a beautiful fluidity that makes tasting a pleasure. Fine tannins accompany a long finish, marked by a fruity memory. The 2020 vintage is described as fresh and concentrated: a balance that brings momentum to this blend without masking its warm aromas.

At the table, to extend the pleasure

I would serve this Toscana with a dish that leaves room for the wine: roast meat, mushroom pasta or an aged cheese can match its ripe fruit, its fine tannins and its smoky touch. It will also suit a dinner where you take the time to return to the glass, follow the evolution of the aromas and share the stories that unfold around the table. If you are looking for a Tuscan red that is both generous and well balanced, this cuvée born from a friendship deserves a place in your next tasting.