With a most affordable price tag and unanimous critical acclaim, Tolaini’s Al Passo is a genuine, polished, and delicious example of the SuperTuscan genre at a reasonable price. The Tolaini estate is located in the Chianti Classico’s southernmost cru, Castelnuovo Berardenga. A blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Tolaini’s 2017 Al Passo seamlessly fuses the cedar and tobacco edges of Cabernet Sauvignon with the plummy chocolate notes of the Merlot, and complicated by the wild cherry, game, and earthy quality of the Sangiovese. Tolaini’s Al Passo hits all the high notes of the warm and generous 2017 Tuscan vintage, which offers pure, luxurious fruit textures framed by plentiful framing tannins. Supple finishing notes of cedar, cocoa, and tobacco complete the wine and make it the finest SuperTuscan value play on the market. Enjoy the Al Passo by itself as a top-shelf reward after a hard day’s work, or better yet pair it now and over the coming five years with roast beef, braised lentils, burgers, pan-seared pork chops, and hearty poultry preparations.
James Suckling: 94 points
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 92 points
A July 2021 newsletter selection
