Az. Agr. Russo Sasso Bucato Toscana IGT 2022
Full-bodied dry red wine crafted in the Bordeaux-blend style typical of coastal Tuscany's Super Tuscan movement. · Azienda Agricola Russo di Michele Russo, a boutique family-owned estate located in Suvereto in the Alta Maremma region of Tuscany, Italy, known for producing terroir-driven wines.
Vintage: 2022, a warm and generally dry growing season in coastal Tuscany that yielded concentrated, ripe fruit with balanced structure.
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine crafted in the Bordeaux-blend style typical of coastal Tuscany's Super Tuscan movement.
Producer
Azienda Agricola Russo di Michele Russo, a boutique family-owned estate located in Suvereto in the Alta Maremma region of Tuscany, Italy, known for producing terroir-driven wines.
Country
Italy, a powerhouse in global winemaking with an ancient tradition spanning both Old World heritage styles and modern innovative winemaking.
Vintage
2022, a warm and generally dry growing season in coastal Tuscany that yielded concentrated, ripe fruit with balanced structure.
Region & Appellation
Toscana IGT, Suvereto, Alta Maremma, Tuscany, Italy. The IGT classification allows winemakers the freedom to use international grape varieties outside of traditional DOC/DOCG constraints.
Grape Varieties
Primarily Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by small percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
Color & Appearance
Deep, saturated ruby-purple core with a youthful crimson rim, displaying moderate to high viscosity and slow-moving legs.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe black plums, blackberry, and dark cherries, layered with secondary notes of sweet vanilla, tobacco leaf, and subtle earthiness.
Tasting Notes
A powerful initial attack of dark fruit gives way to a structured mid-palate with smooth, velvety texture, culminating in a long, warming, and harmonious finish.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry, cassis, and black cherry, supported by secondary notes of cocoa, sweet baking spices, and a hint of Mediterranean scrub.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a lush, velvety mouthfeel, rich extract concentration, and a smooth, enveloping texture.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity providing refreshing lift against the rich fruit, backed by ripe, fine-grained tannins that offer gentle grip without harsh astringency.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with negligible residual sugar, balanced harmoniously by ripe fruit extraction and alcohol warmth.
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV, a typical warm-climate level that lends fullness, body, and generous warmth to the palate.
Aging & Oak
Aged in oak barriques for approximately 12 months, followed by further refinement in the bottle prior to release, imparting gentle notes of toast and spice.
Food Pairings
Ideal with grilled steaks, rich ragù pasta dishes, roasted lamb, game meats, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 18-19°C in a large Bordeaux-style red wine glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes is recommended to fully open up the aromas.
Price Range
Estimated retail price range of $25 to $45 USD, offering excellent value for a high-quality coastal Tuscan red.
Quality Assessment
Scoring in the 89-91 point range, this is a very well-made premium boutique wine that showcases the rich character of Suvereto terroir.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested fruit, destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled tanks with maceration on the skins, followed by barrique aging and bottle refinement.
Terroir
Sourced from vineyards near Suvereto in the Alta Maremma, featuring soils derived from ancient grey marble quarries, benefitting from coastal breezes and high diurnal temperature variation.
History & Heritage
Named after 'Sassobucato,' derived from an abandoned grey marble quarry located on the estate property in Suvereto.
Interesting Facts
The name of the wine translates to 'holey stone' or 'hollowed stone,' directly referencing the old grey marble quarry found within the estate grounds.
Cellaring Potential
Drinking well upon release through 2030, with good potential to develop further tertiary complexity over the next 3 to 6 years if stored properly.
Similar Wines
Bolgheri Rosso blends, Chianti Classico Riserva, and other coastal Tuscan Super Tuscans made from international varieties.