2022 Piaggia - Toscana Rosso IGT Pietranera (750ml)

Piaggia was founded in 1990 by Mauro Vannucci, a Tuscan producer who set out to make wines matching the ambitions of the Carmignano appellation, one of the oldest recognized wine zones in Italy. Located just outside Florence, the estate spans about 15 hectares across the villages of Santa Cristina a Mezzana and Poggio a Caiano, sites known for their strong potential for quality red wine. In just over three decades, Piaggia has earned recognition from critics as one of the leading producers in Carmignano, and by extension one of Tuscany's most respected smaller estates.

Pietranera takes its name from the dark, stone-flecked soils where its grapes are grown, and was created to offer an approachable, elegant expression of the estate's terroir. The wine blends 80 percent Sangiovese with 20 percent Cabernet Franc, fermented with natural yeasts before resting in French oak for a period that typically ranges from 12 to 18 months depending on the character of the vintage, a flexible approach that lets each year's fruit determine the right amount of wood influence.

The 2022 shows an intense, bright ruby red color with faint violet highlights, opening to aromas of forest fruit jam, sweet spice, thyme, and cocoa. The palate is full-bodied and well balanced, with a persistent finish that carries a pleasant sweetness alongside fresh fruit. It pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, roasted red meat, or wild game.