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Hidden Tuscany Rating
Cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Ca' Marcanda estate, in Bolgheri, aged 18 months in barrels then 12 months in bottle. Its Bordeaux style and high price without a named distinction limit its value for money.
Bolgheri is named and the Bordeaux grape varieties are described; the precise appellation is not indicated, and the style remains very marked by the Cabernets rather than by Tuscan grape varieties.
An average expert score of 95/100 is cited without an identified guide or source; no named distinction is mentioned, hence a cautious rating.
At €208.85 for a Bolgheri cuvée without a named distinction, the price seems high for what is described; no price comparison is provided.
Precise pairings (game, grilled red meat, aged sheep's cheeses), a one-hour decanting and cellaring up to 25 years are indicated; aromatic profile and structure are well detailed.
Domaine Ca' Marcanda, owned by Gaja, is named and located in Bolgheri; aging of 18 months in barrels followed by 12 months in bottle is specified.
Independent rating, calculated from the property's public information and traveler reviews. Commissions received on bookings are not included in the rating.
How we rateThe wine
In this red from Bolgheri, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc draw a bold profile, where red fruit and spices meet notes of herbs and roasted coffee. I recommend it to those who love structured wines but also seek a supple, silky texture. The 2022 vintage blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc; the average expert score recorded for this cuvée is 95/100.
The Ca’ Marcanda estate is located in Bolgheri, in Tuscany, and belongs to the Piedmontese house Gaja. Its name comes from a Piedmontese expression meaning “house of endless negotiations”: it evokes the long discussions that preceded Angelo Gaja's purchase of the estate. The property covers more than 100 hectares and produces Tuscan wines, including this red listed as a Super Tuscan. The grapes for this cuvée come from a vineyard located in Castagneto Carducci, on white soils that the product sheet associates with the production of wines meant for aging.
The cellar work extends this structure-driven approach: after fermentation, the wine spends 18 months in barrels, then 12 months in bottle before release. To the eye, it shows an intense color with ruby highlights. The nose, described as complex, blends red fruit, spices, herbs and roasted coffee. On the palate, structure takes center stage, with a soft, silky texture, a firmly present tannic framework and a long finish. It is a balance between the energy of the Cabernets, their herbaceous character and their backbone, and a more supple expression of fruit. The result invites you to take your time, rather than look for a light or discreet red.
I would serve it with game, grilled red meat or aged sheep's milk cheeses: bold pairings capable of matching its tannic structure. To fully enjoy it, the recommendation is to decant it one hour before the meal. You can also keep it in the cellar, for up to 25 years according to available indications, or open it now if the occasion calls for it. It is a bottle to open for a dinner where you want the wine to accompany the conversation as much as the dish, without rushing the tasting.
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