Size:0.75 l Type:Red Country:Italy Region:Toscana Denomination:Toscana IGT Grapes:Cabernet Franc Aging:18 months aging in barrique (50% brand new); then 10 months refinement separated by grapes and 8 months assembled Alcohol content:14% Service temperature:18/20°C Vintage:2018 A relatively new area but particularly promising from an enological point of view, a strong and well-structured entrepreneurial design that can already count on the fortunate experience of Castiglion del Bosco, a great respect for nature, its times and its balance: one could mention even more but already these aspects well introduce Tenuta Prima Pietra and the great work that is done continuously for its growth and affirmation in the most demanding markets. The estate is based at I Prati in the municipality of Riparbella, an area overlooking the Cecina River valley to the south and the sea with the Tuscan archipelago to the west. Home to the highest vineyard on the Tuscan coast, Tenuta Prima Pietra has for the past few years flanked its namesake classic line with a limited-run Bordeaux-style excellence, strongly desired by Massimo Ferragamo. Permassimo was born precisely as a classic Bordeaux blend with a preponderance of Cabernet Sauvignon, residual Franc and a minimal balance of Merlot. The vines, planted up to 450 meters above sea level with southern/southwestern exposure, benefit from continuous light, are protected from the easterly winds that blow from the interior often bringing cooler temperatures and instead benefit from what further south is called “ponentino,” or sea breezes. The altitude does the rest, ensuring a good temperature range in the warm months so that ripening is slower and more concentrated, thanks in part to the high density of vines per hectare. Splendid are the soils on which Tenuta Prima Pietra stands: the nearby Poggio Nocola provides iron and mineral elements that the clay soil makes its own and that it transmits to the grapes, giving complexity and elegance, helping the shoots during periods of greatest water stress. The result is a refined, elegant, complex wine with a very vivid, concentrated color in the glass, a nose that releases strong hints of crisp, pulpy red fruit, slightly iron mineral notes, and an herbaceous finish reminiscent of Mediterranean scrub. Finely chiseled tannins accompany a sip where softness balances well with acidity and minerality, supporting a robust body and an intense and decidedly persistent finish. Super exclusive vintage 2018: just 600 bottles and no magnums for a pure Cabernet Franc. Also unique is the green label.