Travel south down the coast of Tuscany past Bolgheri, (home to the famous ‘Super Tuscans’), you reach the town of Grosseto in the maritime district known as Maremma. For centuries this area was an uninhabitable swampland plagued by malaria until the 1800s when the local farmers and ‘butteri’ cowboys started pioneering agriculture. Today, the Maremma is one of Tuscany’s hidden treasures and remains one of the least developed parts of Italy.
The Corsini family has been associated with Tenuta Marsiliana since 1759 when it was an agricultural estate. Today the family has opened the doors of the estate to wine production and game shooting. Duccio Corsini has converted a small part of it in prime locations to 22 hectares of premium vineyards. Currently, Marsiliana is at the forefront of experimentation and modern winemaking in the area producing only international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot whilst experimenting with others such as Petit Verdot and Sirah. As with Bolgheri the strong coastal influence suits the production of these varieties far better than the traditional Sangiovese.
This is a winery that is gaining vast amounts of international recognition and having visited it recently we are delighted to be introducing it to our range.
Tasting notes: "The 2001 Marsiliana, Cabernet based but with a bit of Merlot and Sangiovese as well, is an excellent effort from a very young vineyard, dark and deep in color, full on the nose with ample and expansive aromas of black currants, graphite, rosemary, and thyme, rich, warm, and round in flavor, muscular and powerful but with plenty of polish in the tannins. It should easily last fifteen years." 92pts Robert Parker
Tasting notes: La Marsiliana, the flagship wine, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot plus a small percentage of Sangiovese. Grown on 20 hectares of the finest south facing slopes on the estate, it’s ideally suited to these grape varieties. We’ve followed this wine closely since it was first released in 2000 and have admired the way that it has improved year on year. 2004 was a very fine, consistent vintage across the whole of Tuscany and for La Marsiliana it was no different. This is the finest La Marsiliana to date with outstanding ageing potential. Dark, brooding and powerful with black fruit flavours, smoke, earthiness and leather, this has ‘Super Tuscan’ class stamped all over it.
Tasting notes: The Birillo Rosso from Tentua Marsiliana is effectively the second label of the flagship wine, La Marsiliana, if you view it with a Bordeaux hat on. The soil upon which the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are grown comprises mostly of sand and silt with excellent drainage, factors which particularly suit the cultivation of these grape varieties. On the palate the Birillo offers rich dark plum, cassis and blackberry flavours and an impressive finish. This is an excellent buy for those wishing to experience a ‘Super Tuscan’ style of wine at a fraction of the price.
Tasting notes: Zesty, light and refreshing the Birillo Bianco made solely from the increasingly popular Vermentino grape (which excels particularly in Sardinia) is a classy white for summer drinking. The Birillo is a versatile wine, great as an aperitif but also perfect with seafood. Consider Vermentino an exciting alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.
