La Mozza I Perazzi (2007)

When one thinks of wines produced with the Sangiovese grape, names such as Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino.  The Sangiovese grape is used to make some lesser known wines, including the Morellino di Scansano.

The Morellino di Scansano has its own DOCG (Denominazione di origine controllata garantita) for the hills around the town of Scansano in the Maremma region of Tuscany.  The rules for this DOCG require that the wine be made from 85% Sangiovese grapes and 15% non-aromatic black grapes, such as Mammolo, Canaiolo Nero Alicante, Malvasia, Nera, Nero Francese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Ciliegiolo. While the rules permit the use of grapes other than the Sangiovese, there are some wine producers who make the wine using only Sangiovese grapes. 

In addition, Morellino di Scansano is a wine that was released during the March after the harvest.  This means that the wine is only aged for about eight months.  By contrast, a Morellino di Scansano Riserva must age for two years, with one of those years being in oak barrels.   Thus, a Morellino di Scansano reaches the market at a relatively young age.

La Mozza follows the rules of the DOCG for the I Perazzi, using 85% Sangiovese along with 4% Syrah, 4% Alicante, 3% Colorino, 4% Ciliegiolo.  The vineyard uses indigenous yeasts are used and ages the wine in tonneaux (barrels).

The I Perazzi provides a good contrast to the other wine made by La Mozza, the Aragone.  Everything about the I Perazzi -- from its scent to its taste -- is more subtle than the Aragone.  Still, the wine has a nice fruit flavor, with ripe grapes and blackberries.  Despite these little differences, both wines share one thing in common ... they are both great wines.

Only 6,000 cases of this wine are produced in a year.  But, like the Aragone, if you see this wine in a store, grab it immediately.  You will not be disappointed.

ENJOY!

For more about the Morellino di Scansano DOCG, check out Wikipedia and Intowine.

La Mozza Aragone (2006)

Back in 2001, three individuals -- Lidia Bastianich, Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali -- founded La Mozza, a vineyard located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, Italy.  The vineyard, which has about 100 acres is near Scansano, southwest of Montalcino and just ten miles from the shores of the Tyhrrenian Sea.  This triumvirate of food and wine leaders choose the Maremma region because it sits outside of the DOC and DOCG regions in Italy.  (For more about DOC and DOCG, check out my review of the Frescobaldi Nipozzano Reserva.)  In Mario Batali's view, this location provides the vineyard to be more flexible and creative with the wines, particularly when it comes to incorporating grapes other than Sangiovese grapes.  La Mozza expresses that creativity by incorporating other Mediterranean grapes, such as Alicante, Petit Verdot and Syrah grapes.

La Mozza's Aragone is a blend of those Mediterranean grapes.  The exact breakdown of the grapes is 40% Sangiovese, 25% Alicante, 25% Syrah and 10% Carignan.  Indigenous yeasts are used during the fermentation process, which is followed by aging in tonneaux. 

The wine pours a nice cherry red.  There is a lot of fruit on the bouquet of the wine, such as cherries and raspberries and, maybe, a little plum.  Those fruit also are very prominent in the taste of the wine as you drink it. 

The name "Aragone" is a tribute to the Aragons of Spain, who, along with the Medici family of Florence, ruled over the Maremma region.  The label represents an aerial view of Fort Stella, a military fort built by the Aragons in the 15th century in Port Ercole.

This is one of the best Italian wines that I have had.  It is very drinkable, which means that before you know it you have gone through the glass and you are looking for the bottle to get a re-fill.  The wine sells for $40.00 per bottle.  This wine was available at VinoMatique in Berea, Ohio, but, unfortunately, it had to close its doors.  Once again, I will miss that wine store, but I am grateful for being able to purchase the wine from VinoMatique when I had the chance.

Moreover, only 1,200 cases of Aragone are produced per year. So, if you have been as fortunate as me to find this wine, buy it immediately.  You will not be disappointed!

ENJOY!

For more information, check out Mario Batali's website or Bastianich Winery.