Turpino

Turpino’s evocative character is a tribute to three noble varieties that thrive in Maremma, fitting perfectly together like the tessera of a fine mosaic.

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Franc
Syrah
Merlot

Truly Stellar and very age-worthy.

John B Gilman View from the cellar 2020

Great fun to drink. 17+/20

Walter Speller Jancis Robinson 2021

Shows terrific length and a complex aftertaste. 94/100

Bruce Sanderson Wine Spectator 2015

Turpino is Maremma’s rise to the Super Tuscan challenge, a voluptuous blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot finely crafted by Querciabella.

The first Turpino bottling was made in 2007 (but never released), initially using Maremma-borne fruit with the addition of some grapes usually destined for our top cuvées from Chianti. It was with the inaugural vintage of 2010 – and what a great year that was! – that the coastal character of Turpino started to reveal fully. Only five great vintages have been released so far, all met with great reception, and Turpino 2017 doesn’t fall short of its predecessors.

James Suckling praises it for its ripe flavours as well as its firm texture. According to Antonio Galloni, the poise and fine frame of the 2017 vintage are surprising, given the personality of the year. Fermentation in wooden vats and barrel ageing confers a gentleness to the spicy balsamic notes of the grape blend, a fine frame and a beguiling length of finish.

Elegance and finesse trump muscle in Turpino, a wine that is always nicely light on its feet. With tangy acidity to balance the ripe fruit, it manages to be both generous and restrained at the same time, making it a great food-friendly wine.

No animal products or byproducts are used in the production of this wine, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

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Technical

Vineyards

Alberese (GR), Maremma.
Querciabella in Maremma enjoys an ideal setting: close to the sea, surrounded by unspoilt nature, the estate benefits from the proximity to the Uccellina Natural Park’s highlands. The vineyards at 20–50 m a.s.l. were planted in 2000 with a north-south orientation. Our organic, plant-based biodynamic approach has proven particularly suited to the acidic, iron-rich soils, a mixture of silt and alluvial sand, sparse with areas of gravel and surface pebbles.

Scores

Serving

Tasting

Lustrous deep crimson. Deep red- and dark-fruit nose with hints of dark spice. Savoury rather than sweet or ripe on the nose, notwithstanding this is from the hot and torrid 2017 vintage. Hint of earth and dried moss. Lush red and dark fruit with a muscular structure that is completely integrated with the fruit. Hedonistic, long, and with loads of (international) appeal. Great fun to drink.

— WALTER SPELLER · JancisRobinson.com

Pairing

Turpino is rich and savoury, with plenty of peppery notes, exotic spices and tobacco, which point to anything from the grill. Roasting vegetables such as zucchini, squash, turnip, or potatoes intensifies their flavours just as it does with meat and their smokiness particularly agrees with the Mediterranean character of this wine.

The Cabernet Franc, which comprises 40% of Turpino, is very vegetable-friendly. It takes on vegetal qualities similar to eggplant and peppers as it ages. At the same time, there’s an earthy and sanguine quality to the Syrah that creates a natural affinity with beetroot. Using rosemary, lavender and sage to scent the dish will also allow you to go in many directions when deciding what to pair, as you can find similar aromatics in the glass.

· BBQ Teriyaki Tofu
· Beet Braised Black Caviar Lentils
· Moussaka with Eggplants and chickpeas
· Roasted Peppers stuffed with wild rice and vegetables
· Smoky black bean and beet burgers with sweet potato fries
· Winter Panzanella salad

Formats

Label

Name
The name Turpino – like Palafreno and Mongrana which precede this wine in the Querciabella range – pays homage to Orlando Furioso, a 16th century Italian epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto.

Image
The background image highlights the detail of medieval Cosmatesque floors (12th–13th centuries) in Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome. Photo by Alessandra Rocchetti.

Design
The label was designed by Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni.
The typeface Simona was designed by Jane Patterson and John Downer for Querciabella’s exclusive and proprietary use.
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