Robert Parker, Jr.-The Wine Advocate:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. "The 2007 Carmignano Il Sasso may very well be the flashiest, most sexy Carmignano I have ever tasted. Mint, dried roses, flowers of all sorts and fragrant red cherries are woven together in a soft, textured fabric of incomparable elegance. The inner perfume carries through to a soft, weightless finish that impresses for its silkiness and finesse. I can’t think of too much more to say, except that this is beautiful juice. Il Sasso is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. In 2007 the fruit was picked from the 5th to the 15th of October, late even by this house’s standards. The wine spent 20 months or so in 100% new oak, very little of which is felt. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017.  Proprietor Mauro Vannuci follows up last year’s exceptional wines with another fine set of new releases. Late harvests, long macerations using only indigenous yeasts and no filtration prior to bottling are some of the hallmarks of this small estate." Oct 2010

Winery:  "The colour is deep ruby red with a very intense, rich, overripe nose of red fruit, jam and sweet spices.
The flavour is warm, well structured, soft and silky, with balanced, highly persistent tannins."

Wired For Wine:  We're feeling a little flushed after reading that review, but at the same time, raring to go!  Any wine which Mr. Galloni of The Wine Advocate fame labels "the flashiest and sexiest" of Carmignano's he's ever tasted has our undivided attention.  No bashful beginnings here, so we say you share the first bottle of Piaggia Carmignano Il Sasso with little plates of goose liver ravioli with balsamic vinegar and brown butter.  That ought to bring the color to your cheeks!  Moving on to the main event, the intense red fruit, sweet and savory spice, silky texture and seductive tannins all come together to deliver the perfect Super Tuscan for braised meats, hearty pastas, powerful cheeses and much more.  The warmth and lovely structure of this Italian red is phenomenal with Brasato al Barolo, braised beef with porcini and oyster mushrooms.  Try not to drool.  If you're in the mood for pasta, this Carmignano hails from the pasta equator, so will be a natural with fresh papardelle and a rich bolognaise.  The Italians love this wine with game, so we say a dish of rabbit alla Triestina with red cabbage, potatoes and horseradish will bring out the savory herb side of this Tuscan treasure.  Open another bottle and top off those glasses generously when you bring out the final course.  Make it an Italian Bianco Sardo do Moliterno cheese.  It's earthy, sweet and nutty and will bring the house down with some quince paste and crusty bread.  Only one thing left to do winelovers:  get your sexypants on and have some of this "beautiful juice"!!!

Size:  750ml
Varietal:   70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Alcohol:  13.0%
Ageing:    20 months in French oak barriques, cellaring in the bottle for 6 months
Region:   Tuscany, Italy