Avignonesi Desiderio Toscana 2021

Avignonesi Desiderio 2021, a Tuscan Merlot with character

In the glass, the Desiderio 2021 immediately asserts its Tuscan roots: a generous Merlot, carried by dark fruit, then nuanced by oak and a touch of spice. I also love the story behind its name, borrowed from a bull that became a symbol of the estate. Organic and vegan, this IGP Toscana red offers a concentrated expression without losing its balance.

A Merlot shaped in Tuscany

Avignonesi is located in Tuscany, in an area whose Chiana valley gave its name to the Chianina cattle breed. At the end of the 19th century, the estate was home to an imposing bull called Desiderio, who weighed 1,600 kilos and attracted visitors. His memory has endured: the wine now bears his name, and his figure has become a symbol associated with Tuscany. This anecdote gives the bottle a story of its own, without distracting from what's inside.

The 2021 vintage is made from Merlot, grown in vineyards farmed using biodynamic methods. The grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, destemmed, and gently crushed. Vinification is done parcel by parcel, with indigenous yeasts and fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, in order to preserve the characteristics of each lot. Malolactic fermentation takes place at the start of aging in French oak barrels. The wine then spends 18 months there, followed by at least six months of bottle aging. The cuvée is also labeled organic and vegan.

Its color is a deep ruby. The nose opens on fresh blackberry, juicy plum, and a note of black cherry. On the palate, the profile becomes more enveloping: wild berries and dark fruits are accompanied by dark chocolate, with a discreet spicy nuance. The structure is rich, the fruit concentrated, yet the whole retains a balance that keeps the wine from being reduced to mere power. The oak adds an extra dimension, while the fruity aromas remain in the foreground. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a generous Tuscan Merlot, with several nuances to follow from the first nose to the last sip.

At the table, with dishes of character

I would serve it with game, red meat, or a good platter of cured meats: dishes flavorful enough to match its structure and echo its notes of dark fruit and spice. Aged cheeses also suit its ample style and the chocolatey notes on the palate. For a simpler evening, you can make it the thread running through a meal built around a cut of meat, and take the time to let it open in the glass. It's a bottle to share when you want a well-built Tuscan red, fruity and marked by barrel aging, with an estate story that naturally comes up at the table.