Tenuta Casalli, Palazzina Sangiovese Superiore 2023

Tenuta Casalli, Palazzina Sangiovese Superiore 2023 Crafted from 100% Sangiovese, this vibrant wine hails from the Palazzina vineyard in the Romagna DOC, where vines sit at an elevation of 160 meters on well-draining alluvial gravel soils. The 2023 vintage in Emilia-Romagna overcame a challenging, rain-heavy spring with a warm, extended late summer, allowing for a perfectly ripe late-September harvest. In the glass, the wine displays a brilliant, medium ruby-red color with pristine clarity and moderate viscosity, opening to an expressive nose of crushed violets, fresh cranberries, ripe red cherries, and secondary notes of wild thyme. Because it is designed for youthful freshness and sees no oak, tertiary aging characteristics like leather or tobacco are intentionally absent, allowing the pure primary fruit to shine. On the palate, this dry, medium-bodied wine privileges vibrant drinkability, bursting with flavors of juicy red plum and tart cherry framed by soft tannins and a mouth-watering acidity that carries through to a crisp, mineral-driven finish. The Casalli family employs certified organic farming and hand-harvests their fruit, acting as true custodians of their land. They utilize traditional temperature-controlled red fermentation and age the wine exclusively in stainless steel tanks for six to nine months to preserve its primary aromatics and lively character. Its bright acidity and approachable structure make it a versatile companion for American-leaning comfort foods, pairing beautifully with a classic double bacon cheeseburger to cut through the rich fat, or alongside slow-smoked beef brisket where the wine's savory notes complement the peppery bark. It also works wonderfully with a deeply savory, Italian-American baked ziti loaded with a rich sausage ragù, effortlessly harmonizing with the acidity of the tomato sauce. While the 2023 vintage is still awaiting formal reviews from major publications like Wine Spectator, previous iterations have consistently earned high-80s to low-90s scores from outlets like Forbes, making this $15 to $23 bottle an exceptionally affordable, high-quality organic red in its class.