"R" is for Roccafiore

Looking at the labels on bottles of wine from Cantina Roccafiore, the first thing that comes to mind is smart marketing. The logo of the estate (a black "R" with a red stylized flower beside it) as a whole is simple, colorful, and identifiable. Anyone searching for their wine in a shop need only look for that flower--not in shops in the U.S. though, as they haven't made it across the pond (yet?).

Mom and I visited the winery during my trip and spent a couple of hours chatting with the 24-year-old winameker named Cristian. All the while we toured the facility, snapped pictures, asked questions, and finally engaged in a tasting. We tasted only three of their wines--two reds and a dessert wine--due to unavailability of the rest, but to my delight, they were quite enjoyable:

2007 Rosso Melograno IGT -- Sangiovese, Merlot, and Montepulciano

Lovely ruby red color, with a very fresh nose of lively cherry. Fresh cherry echoed on the palate along with a hint of earth and a crisp, fruity finish. A very pleasant, easy-drinking red.

2006 Rosso Roccafiore IGT -- Sangiovese

Medium garnet color, with a nose of cherry fruit, a bit of earth, and a thread of toastiness. Palate full of dark cherry, earth, and spice from the oak aging. Definitely a food-loving, classic Italian red.

2006 Collina d'Oro Passito IGT -- Moscato

Medium gold color, with a nose of flowers, dried fruit, and honey. Flavors of honey and raisins, delicate and not fully sweet. Good acidity ensured a nice balance--yum!

The property, the buildings, and the landscaping were all lovely and thoughtfully designed. Check out the site for a more complete view of what I'm talking about!