2017-C Pietro Beconcini IXE Tempranillo Toscana IGT, Italy (750ml)   

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100% Tempranillo, fermented in temperature-controlled cement vats with indigenous yeasts, with a 30-day maceration on the skins. Aged for 15 months (50% in French Oak and 50% in cement vats), with an additional 6 months in the bottle before being released. Deep burgundy robe with heady aromas of dark fruit and toffee. The palate exhibits stewed blackberry and blueberry fruit, black plum skin, coffee, and a hint of roasted herbs. The finish is long with just enough acidity to balance the grippy tannins.

The history of this winery began in the early 1950’s when current owner Leonardo Beconcini’s grandfather, Pietro Beconcini, purchased the land he and his family had been working as sharecroppers from the Marquis Ridolfi. Their family was one of the first in Tuscany to free themselves from the then-prevalent sharecropping system. Pietro Beconcini Agricola initially produced a variety of products, but eventually (under the direction of Leonardo’s father) became focused solely on winemaking. Leonardo’s desire to grow only indigenous grape varieties began to take shape in the 1990s, with the first vintage of a monovarietal Sangiovese in 1995. After taking the reins of the business from his father, in 1997, while making selections from ancient vines, Leonardo came across an unfamiliar grape variety—simply called “X” at the time—that dated back over 150 years. Leonardo continued to plant and cultivate “X” for several years, making noteworthy wines from its fruit. After repeatedly hitting dead-ends trying to identify the grape, in 2004, Leonardo invested in DNA analyses; the tests confirmed the mystery grape was in fact Tempranillo. Today Pietro Beconcini lays claim to being the only producer of Tempranillo in Tuscany.