The 2024 Ghiaccio Forte Morellino di Scansano is a thrilling expression of Sangiovese from coastal Tuscany.
Tenuta Ghiaccio Forte is owned by Castello di Romitorio, one of the elite estates of Brunello di Montalcino. The 25-year-old vines are planted with a fascinating collection of clones sourced from Montevertine, Biondi-Santi, and Il Poggione. That's some serious pedigree, and it shows in the glass.
Morellino di Scansano deserves a lot more attention. The hilltop town of Scansano sits in the Maremma of southwestern Tuscany, and Morellino is the local name for Sangiovese. The appellation was granted DOCG status in 2007, and this coastal expression of the grape is a different animal from the more structured wines we often associate with Montalcino or Chianti. Not better or worse, just different. And I love it!
This wine is a perfect example of what makes Morellino so compelling. We opened a bottle after work this past Saturday and were floored by its pure expression of grape and place. Fermented entirely in stainless steel with no oak whatsoever, it shows a glistening pale ruby color, cool red fruit, rose petal, dried herbs, tobacco, cinnamon, and a hint of volcanic ash. There's serious depth here, all delivered with beautiful freshness and purity.
Monica Larner of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this 93 points, and her review was both accurate and glowing.
"Ghiaccio Forte captures the zeitgeist of the moment with its ruby transparency and immediate drinking charm. Short maceration times of seven to eight days give the wine a light and punchy feel with weightless intensity, while aromas span the red and blue fruit spectrum with a distant ashy or volcanic note that adds lift and definition."
This is an absolute joyride of a Tuscan red! It's about as pretty as red wine gets, and while this would pair beautifully with pizza and pasta, it would also sing with turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings. Yep, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
