Fit for a superhero (or nobility), the silky, smooth and sweet Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight.
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. This IGT Toscana wine was aged for 8 months in barrel and another 3 months in bottle before release. It has residual sugar of 5.0 g/L.
The Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight has an SRP of $17 and is available for as low as $12. Ready to buy? Check your local retailers. Imported by Treasury Wine Estates. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
For centuries, the Gabbiano Knight, or Il Cavaliere, protected the Castello di Gabbiano Estate. This red blend, dominant in cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sangiovese varietals pays homage to the Castello's kindred spirits, the standard bearers for a noble cause, the dark knights of the hills of Tuscany.
14% Alcohol
There's something special about Italian red blends. Most winemaking in Italy has traditionally been governed by strict rules and regulations that can, at times, limit innovation. The rise of the Super Tuscan blend in the 80s and the resulting IGT Toscana label in the 90s; however, gave a creative outlet to winemakers who wanted to produce non-traditional, often Bordeaux-style blends. What's always amazed me is how, despite the lack of rules and regulations, all these wines still maintain a very distinctive Italian character. Today's wine is a perfect example.
The 2015 Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight begins with a very enticing Italian nose full of dark, ripe berry, nicely integrated spice notes and plenty of vanilla. The wine tastes silky, smooth and sweet with tons of tart, ripe berry fruit. The well integrated spice continues as well as the vanilla notes which lead into the dry finish of lingering cola, coffee and chocolate along with more sweet berry fruit. It's only 20% Sangiovese but that variety makes a strong contribution to the Cabernet and Merlot. This is a great Italian blend and a testament to the power of the Super Tuscan!
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Ready to buy the Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight? Check your local retailers.
