Avignonesi 50 & 50 Capannelle 2019

Cellar for up to 20 years or more. Decant 2 hours before serving. This breathtaking wine holds a hallowed place in the history of Tuscan winemaking thanks to the spontaneous decision by two of the region’s finest wine estates to create a wine together at a dinner in 1978. The then-owners of Avignonesi and Capannelle started out by trying to convince each other of the superiority of their wines. By the end of the evening they had hatched a plan to craft the perfect Tuscan wine using 50% Merlot from Avignonesi and 50% Sangiovese from Capannelle. Although the ownership of both estates has changed over the years, the tradition and quest for excellence behind this wine remains exactly the same. Named after the composition of the blend, the unique personality of this wine is honed by significant oak ageing. The Merlot component spends twelve months ageing in new French oak barrels before being blended with the Sangiovese. The cuvee is then aged for a further 24 months in new oak to add further complexity and ensure harmonization of the two varieties. On opening the bottle the majestic 50 & 50 immediately arrests the attention with an opulent deep ruby hue and rich aromas of wild redcurrants, raspberries, dried Mediterranean herbs and baking spices. Succulent cassis, leather, cigar box and vanilla dominate the palate along with well-developed tannins, firm structure and a memorably long finish. Pair with traditional Tuscan cuisine and hearty pasta dishes to bring out the versatility and depth of flavours of this storied wine.