Frescobaldi Lamaione 2019

Winery Background and History

Lamaione is a prestige label from Tenuta CastelGiocondo, part of the Frescobaldi family’s historic holdings in Montalcino. First conceived in 1991, it was an ambitious challenge: cultivating Merlot in clay-rich Tuscan terrain. The wine exemplifies the estate’s daring vision—melding New World varietal richness with Old World terroir precision. 

Producer and Winemaker

Crafted by the Frescobaldi oenological team at CastelGiocondo, guided by their longstanding technical director Ermanno Morlacchetti. The meticulous, hands-on approach—from vineyard selection to post-harvest aging—is emblematic of Frescobaldi’s commitment to quality and expression. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Grapes come from the 12-hectare Lamaione vineyard, planted in 1976, located at 300 m elevation on marine clay soils with southwestern exposure. This terroir yields concentrated, structured Merlot with nuanced expression. 

Vinification & Aging Methods

Hand-harvested Merlot undergoes meticulous sorting and is fermented in temperature-controlled steel. The wine is then aged 24 months in new French oak barriques, followed by 12 months of bottle aging before release. 

Tasting Notes

Visually, it displays an intense, impenetrable ruby-red hue. Aromas include ripe cherry, blueberry, and black plum, layered with dark chocolate, graphite, rhubarb, mint, and licorice. The palate is warm and richly structured with firm but velvety tannins, concluding with a very long finish featuring roasted coffee and balsamic hints. 

Food & Wine Pairing

Perfect for pairing with richly flavored dishes—think pot roast, beef tenderloin, game, long-cooked stews, or mature cheeses—where its structure and depth shine. 

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 18–20 °C after decanting for about 1 hour to fully reveal its aromatic and flavor complexity. 

Storage and Aging Potential

Built for longevity, Lamaione 2019 will evolve beautifully over 10–15 years, developing deeper tertiary layers while maintaining structure and elegance. 

Grape Varietals & percentage used

100% Merlot. 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

14.5%. 

Scores

• Wine Enthusiast: 94 points