Principe Corsini Le Corte Birillo Rosso

Principe Corsini Le Corte Birillo Rosso is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend from Maremma, Tuscany, bottled at 14% ABV in a 750ml format under the Costa Toscana IGT designation. Scored 93 points by James Suckling for the 2015 vintage, this organically farmed red has earned consistent critical recognition as an accessible entry point into the Super Tuscan style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Manciano, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy  |  Costa Toscana IGT  |  Producer: Tenuta Marsiliana (Principe Corsini)

Production & Heritage

Principe Corsini is one of Tuscany's historic noble families, and their Tenuta Marsiliana estate sits in the southern Maremma near Manciano in the province of Grosseto. The vineyards are planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare using low spurred cordon training and are cultivated under certified organic farming methods. For Le Corte Birillo Rosso, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes undergo open fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a maximum temperature of 30°C for 14 days, followed by 12 months of aging in second-hand barriques — a deliberate choice that imparts subtle oak influence without overwhelming the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with compact, concentrated aromas of blackcurrant and mulberry, layered with fresh cherries and violets. Beneath those primary fruits sits an evergreen undercurrent of Mediterranean scrub, eucalyptus, and a distinct balsamic note that signals the wine's Maremma origins.

Taste: The entry is full and juicy, immediately establishing a creamy mid-palate texture. Elegant, velvety tannins carry flavors of dark berry fruit, oriental spices, and a subtle vegetal hint. Crisp acidity runs through the body, keeping everything tonic and well balanced despite the wine's depth of extraction.

Finish: The finish stretches long and tight, with toasted notes giving way to tobacco leaf and lingering warmth. It closes with impressive balance — the freshness persists right alongside the oak-derived complexity.

How to Drink Le Corte Birillo Rosso

This wine is best served at 16–18°C and benefits from 20–30 minutes of breathing time, either in the glass or a decanter, to fully open its aromatic layers. A classic Bordeaux-style glass helps concentrate the violet and balsamic aromatics toward the nose.

Best For

• Introducing someone to the Super Tuscan style without the premium price tag
• Pairing with a weekend Italian dinner built around grilled or braised red meats
• Building a Tuscan wine collection that goes beyond Chianti Classico
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates organic, estate-grown Italian reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Corte Birillo Rosso taste like? It delivers a full, juicy palate of blackcurrant, mulberry, and dark cherry, framed by velvety tannins and lifted by crisp acidity. Balsamic and eucalyptus notes from the Mediterranean-influenced terroir add complexity to the finish.

How does Le Corte Birillo Rosso compare to traditional Super Tuscans? It is often described as a "mini-Super Tuscan" — sharing the same Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot backbone and Tuscan depth, but deliberately made to be smoother and more immediately accessible. Where flagship Super Tuscans like Sassicaia or Ornellaia demand extended cellaring and command significantly higher prices, Le Corte Birillo is built for earlier drinking pleasure.

Is Le Corte Birillo Rosso good for everyday drinking? Yes — it is specifically designed as an approachable, fruit-forward expression that rewards casual weeknight enjoyment while retaining enough structure and complexity for more focused tasting.

Where is Le Corte Birillo Rosso made? It is produced at Tenuta Marsiliana, an estate owned by the Principe Corsini family located near Manciano in the Grosseto province of southern Maremma, Tuscany. The wine carries the Costa Toscana IGT designation.

What foods pair well with Le Corte Birillo Rosso? Grilled bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannin structure; slow-braised lamb shanks complement its dark berry richness; aged pecorino cheese mirrors its Tuscan roots; wild boar ragù over pappardelle matches its body and spice; and roasted eggplant with tomato brings out the wine's balsamic and herbal undertones.

What sizes does Le Corte Birillo Rosso come in? The standard bottling is 750ml.

Is Le Corte Birillo Rosso worth the price? Le Corte Birillo positions as an entry-level expression within the broader Super Tuscan category, delivering organic farming, estate production, barrique aging, and consistent 90+ point critical scores at a fraction of what prestige Super Tuscans command — strong value for a Costa Toscana IGT.

Why Le Corte Birillo Rosso?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of Tuscan reds is its deliberate restraint. Rather than chasing the power and extraction of high-end Super Tuscans, the team at Tenuta Marsiliana uses second-hand barriques and controlled fermentation to prioritize fruit purity and drinkability. The certified organic viticulture adds a layer of terroir transparency that more heavily oaked competitors often obscure. With a 93-point score from James Suckling and consistent recognition from Falstaff and Wine Spectator across multiple vintages, Le Corte Birillo Rosso has proven it is not a one-off success but a reliably well-made Maremma red that earns its place as one of the smartest introductions to the Super Tuscan world.