Ormanni Julius Toscana 2022

Ormanni Julius Toscana 2022, the Tuscan tribute to Gambelli

In the Ormanni Julius Toscana 2022, Sangiovese meets Merlot and Syrah to make a Tuscan red aged in barrel. I recommend it to those who love wines with character without looking for a profile entirely dominated by wood: its description evokes an elegant, earthy and balanced expression.

A Tuscan blend, heir to a tradition

This wine carries the IGP Toscana designation and comes from Fattoria Ormanni, an estate associated with the winemaking tradition of Chianti Classico. Its name recalls the original owners and centuries of winemaking. The history of the Julius is also tied to Giulio Gambelli, a traveling oenologist who advised estates across the region. In 1997, Ormanni launched this cuvée in his honor, in the spirit of the Super Tuscans: wines that combine local and international grape varieties, breaking away from traditional blends.

The 2022 vintage brings together 60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 10% Syrah, sourced from the estate's vineyards. Fattoria Ormanni practices organic farming and hand-harvests when the grapes have reached optimal ripeness. After sorting, destemming and crushing, the berries macerate for about 18 days with their skins. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, then the wine ages 16 months in new oak barrels. This process gives precise reference points on how it is made, without the need to attribute aromas that the documented tasting does not specify.

In the glass, it is a red wine described as refined, elegant and earthy. Its profile sits halfway between fruity and spicy, with moderate wood presence and a medium-power body. These indications describe a structured wine, but they do not allow us to detail its color or attribute to the nose precise notes of fruit, spice or oak. I prefer to keep this reserve: it lets you appreciate the wine for what it is, rather than for an invented aromatic palette.

At the table, between meat and aged cheeses

I would serve it with red meat, game or charcuterie, pairings that match its profile as a wood-aged red. Aged cheeses will also suit a simple meal, where the wine can accompany the dish without requiring a solemn occasion. You can choose it for an autumn table or a dinner built around products with character; give it time to open up in the glass, then judge for yourself the balance between fruit, spice and oak.