Renzo Masi, a third generation wine producer from Tuscany, has unveiled Contrappasso, a new Italian red wine blend.
Comprised of 50% syrah and 50% sangiovese grapes, this wine is made in a traditional Tuscan winemaking method called con governo. Grapes are harvested at the peak of ripeness and hung on a rack to dry. The clusters dehydrate and concentrate the flavor and grape sugars and are then pressed, given extended skin contact, and fermented in stainless vats.
This method is used with the syrah grapes. The sangiovese grades are made in the traditional way. Each component is vinified separately and then blended prior to bottling.
On the nose of Contrappasso are dark fruit notes of blackberry and raspberry, the producers say. On the palate, the wine is full, smooth and velvety, with a hint of mineral notes. The finish contains notes of ripe blueberry pie filling.
The importer for Contrappasso is HB Wine Merchants. The suggested retail price is $14.99 per 750-ml. bottle.