2013 Baffonero
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Tasting notes
This wine is intended to challenge, and perhaps provoke, Merlot king Masseto. The Rocca di Frassinello 2013 Maremma Toscana Baffonero hails from a three-hectare single vineyard on the Tuscan Coast. Fermentation and malolactic fermentation is executed in concrete eggs and the wine is aged in 100% new French oak. The first vintage made was 2007 and bottle production tops 3,000 today. This current edition of the wine clocks in at a whopping 39.4 grams per liter of dry extract and all that density definitely makes a bold statement. This wine is thick and vinous with rich primary aromas of blackberry and cherry liqueur. Indian spice and cured tobacco are presented with lavish abandon. This is the ultimate statement wine, for sure, but I'm not sure it has Masseto trembling in its boots just yet.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Baffonero is superb in this vintage. Nuanced and delineated throughout, the 2013 offers much more sophistication than has been the case in previous vintages. Mint, sage, lavender, sweet spices and mocha are laced into the pliant finish. All things considered, the 2013 Baffonero is a pretty delicate Merlot by Maremma standards.