The 2021 Tolaini "Al Passo" is exactly the type of wine we love to share and showcase! Serious pedigree, thoughtful winemaking, and a price which makes it difficult to take only one bottle home.
From certified organic vineyards in Tuscany, Al Passo is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, a combination that gives the wine immediate appeal and also enough structure to enjoy in a few years! The Merlot and Cabernet give the wine a character of very appealing ripe fruit, while the Sangiovese adds plenty of freshness and lift with a slight savory nuance. All in all, this results in a balanced and dangerously delicious wine that is a steal for a wine under $25!
Tolaini puts great care into this wine. The fruit is carefully selected, fermented in stainless steel, and aged for 14 months in French oak on the fine lees to add texture and depth. The end result is a wine that is polished and serious. The name, "Al Passo", is the name of the circular forest on the winery's estate and loosely translates to "at the passage". It is the home of a 2,500-year-old Etruscan tomb!
In the glass, Al Passo delivers exactly what you want [and more] for a wine in this category: expressive aromatics, layered fruit, and an irresistible finish that keeps you coming back. A symphony of spicy oak, raspberry, wild strawberries, plum, and tobacco resonate when smelling the wine. Meanwhile on the palate, the wine has a core of bright red fruits with notes of black fruit, spice, herbs, and chocolate.
This core of bright red fruit is supported by a lively acidity that keeps the wine fresh and energetic. The acidity and balanced tannins make the wine so appealing to drink now, that it may be difficult to have only one glass! However, there is enough dark fruit, chocolate, and oak that adds richness and structure to allow this wine to age for another ten years.
That is what makes Al Passo so appealing! It is rich without being overly heavy, polished without losing character, and has enough lift to stay vibrant from the first sip to the last. Pair this bottle with red sauced pasta, burgers, pizza, grilled meats (beef, pork, and chicken!), or a lovely charcuterie. However, the result of Al Passo being dangerously delicious is that it is wonderful to have on its own!
At a price of $22.98, the Tolaini Al Passo is a tremendous and delicious value in the world of Tuscany. For anyone looking for a versatile, character-filled bottle that drinks well above its price, this wine is an easy Yes!
ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Al Passo is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice and incense lend notable aromatic nuance. This Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a ton to offer . Bright acids pull it all together in style."
From certified organic vineyards in Tuscany, Al Passo is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, a combination that gives the wine immediate appeal and also enough structure to enjoy in a few years! The Merlot and Cabernet give the wine a character of very appealing ripe fruit, while the Sangiovese adds plenty of freshness and lift with a slight savory nuance. All in all, this results in a balanced and dangerously delicious wine that is a steal for a wine under $25!
Tolaini puts great care into this wine. The fruit is carefully selected, fermented in stainless steel, and aged for 14 months in French oak on the fine lees to add texture and depth. The end result is a wine that is polished and serious. The name, "Al Passo", is the name of the circular forest on the winery's estate and loosely translates to "at the passage". It is the home of a 2,500-year-old Etruscan tomb!
In the glass, Al Passo delivers exactly what you want [and more] for a wine in this category: expressive aromatics, layered fruit, and an irresistible finish that keeps you coming back. A symphony of spicy oak, raspberry, wild strawberries, plum, and tobacco resonate when smelling the wine. Meanwhile on the palate, the wine has a core of bright red fruits with notes of black fruit, spice, herbs, and chocolate.
This core of bright red fruit is supported by a lively acidity that keeps the wine fresh and energetic. The acidity and balanced tannins make the wine so appealing to drink now, that it may be difficult to have only one glass! However, there is enough dark fruit, chocolate, and oak that adds richness and structure to allow this wine to age for another ten years.
That is what makes Al Passo so appealing! It is rich without being overly heavy, polished without losing character, and has enough lift to stay vibrant from the first sip to the last. Pair this bottle with red sauced pasta, burgers, pizza, grilled meats (beef, pork, and chicken!), or a lovely charcuterie. However, the result of Al Passo being dangerously delicious is that it is wonderful to have on its own!
At a price of $22.98, the Tolaini Al Passo is a tremendous and delicious value in the world of Tuscany. For anyone looking for a versatile, character-filled bottle that drinks well above its price, this wine is an easy Yes!
ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Al Passo is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice and incense lend notable aromatic nuance. This Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a ton to offer . Bright acids pull it all together in style."
