Aia Vecchia 'Lagone' Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Dark-fruited and immediately expressive, the 2023 Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana IGT opens with ripe black cherry, warm earth, and savory undertones that signal a classic Super Tuscan profile. Built from a Bordeaux-inspired blend and shaped by coastal influences, Lagone reflects generations of farming experience brought into a modern winemaking vision. For the Pellegrini family, this wine represents a milestone, marking their transition from grape growers to confident estate producers with a clear, enduring sense of purpose.

Product Details:

• Owners: Filippo Pellegrini & Alessandro Pellegrini
• Winemaker: Nicola Scottini
• Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Vineyard Elevation: Approximately 100 meters above sea level
• Soil: Sand, clay, limestone
• Training System: Spur-pruned cordon and Guyot
• Vinification: Approximately 20 days of maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks
• Aging: 12 months in barrique
• Bottle Aging: 3 months

Sensory Description:

The 2023 Lagone is robust yet polished, offering layers of blackberry, plum, and dark cherry framed by notes of tobacco, leather, and dried herbs. The palate is full and structured, with firm but integrated tannins and a savory, earthy core that reflects its Tuscan origins. Compared to more opulent expressions of the style, this vintage balances ripeness with restraint, delivering depth without excess weight. The warm coastal growing conditions of the year contributed to generous fruit concentration while preserving freshness and lift through the finish.

Winemaker's Background:

Aia Vecchia, meaning “old farmhouse,” is deeply rooted in the Pellegrini family’s four-generation history of grape farming. After decades of selling fruit, the family established Aia Vecchia as an estate winery in the mid-1990s, releasing their first vintage of Lagone in 1998. Located between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, the estate benefits from a favorable maritime influence and diverse soils well suited to Bordeaux varieties. Under the direction of Filippo and Alessandro Pellegrini and winemaker Nicola Scottini, Aia Vecchia has become a respected voice in the Super Tuscan movement, known for consistency, value, and clarity of style.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly below room temperature in a large red wine glass to highlight its aromatic depth and structure. This wine pairs especially well with grilled lamb burgers, roasted red meats, hearty pasta dishes, and rustic grain-based preparations, making it an ideal choice for relaxed but flavorful meals.