Il Borro Il Borro Toscana 2021

Il Borro is one of Tuscany’s most legendary and long-lasting estates, and this is their polished and silken Merlot-leading Super Tuscan that’s left even the toughest of critics swooning (Suckling gave it 97 points and gushed over the “ultra-fine” texture of the tannins). Usually it’s available for about $90, but here at First Bottle it’s yours for under $70, with free shipping on 3 or more!

Il Borro is one of those places that sounds like it was invented for a heart-pounding romance movie. Tucked into the hills of the Valdarno, just south of Florence at the foot of Monte Pratomagno, it’s a legit medieval village with history going back more than a thousand years. By the time Ferruccio Ferragamo (yes, of the legendary Florentine fashion family) bought the estate in 1993, the village had been abandoned and was in serious disrepair. He and his family spent years painstakingly restoring it, and today it’s a Relais & Châteaux property surrounded by roughly 1,100 hectares of organically farmed land.

The wine story started when Ferruccio’s son Salvatore talked his father into planting just four hectares of vines to make house wine for the estate’s restaurants. The first vintage was so promising that they got more serious, and today there are around 85 hectares under vine, farmed organically since 2015. The vineyards sit at 300 to 500 meters in elevation, where cool nights and afternoon winds help the fruit maintain freshness and verve. The estate was also one of 11 producers that helped revive the historic Valdarno di Sopra appellation, which dates back to the days of Cosimo de’ Medici.

All of that effort is apparent in Il Borro’s flagship and the wine that best expresses the estate. The 2021 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Syrah, all harvested by hand into small 10-kilo cases, vinified separately, and aged for 24 months in French oak before blending. The Merlot rests in large 20-hectoliter casks to maintain its fruit and floral character. It’s a deep, dark, and beautifully layered red, with black cherry, blackberry, and cassis alongside elderberry, violets, and a twist of orange peel. Then come notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and warm baking spice, with a savory, earthy element that balances all the richness. The tannins are firm but polished, the acidity keeps it lively, and the finish is long, dry, and velvety. 97 points only scratches the surface of this beauty, which is apt to evolve tremendously in the cellar for many years ahead! Get a few to last!

FOOD PAIRINGS: I’m keen to pair this with ribollita – a hearty Tuscan bean, bread, and vegetable stew. Don’t fret the lack of meat, because all those root vegetables, beans, and fragrant herbs are bound to hold up majestically to this Super Tuscan.