Le Sughere di Frassinello Maremma Toscana

Le Sughere di Frassinello Maremma Toscana is a 750ml, 14% ABV red blend from Tuscany's Maremma coast, combining Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Backed by a 93-point rating from Wine Spectator and 93+ points from Robert Parker, this second wine from Rocca di Frassinello punches well above its station thanks to a unique partnership between Castellare di Castellina and Bordeaux's Château Lafite-Rothschild.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Maremma Toscana, Tuscany, Italy  |  Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot  |  Producer: Rocca di Frassinello

Production & Heritage

Rocca di Frassinello is a joint venture between Castellare di Castellina, one of Chianti Classico's respected estates, and Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Château Lafite-Rothschild). Le Sughere sits as the estate's second-tier wine, directly below the flagship Rocca di Frassinello bottling. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, after which roughly half the wine ages for 12 months in oak — including small French Allier barrels and used barrels that previously held Château Lafite. This cross-pollination of Tuscan and Bordelais winemaking philosophy gives the wine a structural elegance uncommon at this level.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe dark berries and plum skin lead, followed by blue flowers and dried orange peel. A secondary layer of wild rosemary, cedar and gentle spice emerges with air.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with concentrated blackberry and cherry flavors filling the mid-palate. Firm, well-integrated tannins build structure without harshness, while herbal notes of eucalyptus and mint add complexity. A mineral underpinning and touch of new leather round out the profile.

Finish: Medium-long and staining, with lingering dark fruit, savory herbs, and an iron-tinged minerality. The tannins resolve cleanly, leaving a fresh, balanced impression.

How to Drink Le Sughere

This wine rewards a slight chill to cellar temperature — around 16–18°C (60–65°F) — and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to open up its aromatic layers. It drinks well on its own but truly comes alive at the dinner table alongside roasted meats, aged cheeses, or hearty Tuscan-style dishes built around tomato, olive oil, and herbs.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want something a step above everyday wine
• Introducing Bordeaux drinkers to Tuscan winemaking
• Gifting wine enthusiasts who appreciate Italian-French crossover blends
• Building a Maremma Toscana vertical or mixed case

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Sughere taste like? Le Sughere di Frassinello delivers concentrated dark berry and plum fruit layered with herbal notes of rosemary, eucalyptus, and cedar, supported by firm tannins and fresh minerality. Critics consistently note its juicy, approachable character alongside genuine structural depth.

How does Le Sughere compare to the flagship Rocca di Frassinello? Le Sughere is the estate's second wine, blending the same Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes but with a more approachable, fruit-forward profile intended for earlier drinking. The flagship Rocca di Frassinello typically sees more new oak, greater extraction, and longer aging potential.

Is Le Sughere good for everyday drinking? Absolutely — its balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannins, and herbal complexity makes it rewarding without requiring cellaring, though it can develop further with a few years in bottle. James Suckling described it as "succulent and easy to drink," which captures its versatility well.

Where is Le Sughere made? Le Sughere is produced at Rocca di Frassinello in the Maremma Toscana DOC, a warm coastal zone in southwestern Tuscany, Italy. The estate was designed by architect Renzo Piano and sits within one of Tuscany's most dynamic modern wine regions.

What foods pair well with Le Sughere? Bistecca alla fiorentina or grilled lamb chops match its tannin structure and herbal character. Slow-braised short ribs complement the wine's dark fruit concentration. Aged Pecorino Toscano echoes its savory, earthy finish. Pasta with wild boar ragù mirrors the wine's blend of rustic Tuscan identity and polished winemaking. Roasted root vegetables with rosemary pick up the wine's herbal aromatics.

What sizes does Le Sughere come in? Le Sughere di Frassinello is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Le Sughere worth the price? Le Sughere positions as a mid-range Tuscan red that delivers remarkable quality relative to its price tier, largely because it benefits from the same estate, vineyard management, and winemaking team behind the considerably more expensive flagship. Scores of 93 points from Wine Spectator and 93+ from Robert Parker reinforce its strong value proposition within Maremma Toscana.

Why Le Sughere?

Few wines at this level carry the pedigree of a Lafite-Rothschild partnership — and even fewer age part of their wine in barrels that previously held one of Bordeaux's First Growths. Le Sughere di Frassinello translates that heritage into something genuinely accessible: a Sangiovese-driven blend that balances Tuscan warmth with Bordelais precision. Consistent critical recognition — including Wine Spectator's 93 points, Robert Parker's 93+, and a Gold medal at the Sommelier Wine Awards — confirms it as one of Maremma Toscana's most reliable over-performers. For drinkers curious about what happens when two of Europe's great wine traditions collaborate on a single bottle, this is the entry point.