Castello Vicchiomaggio FSM 2018

Castello Vicchiomaggio FSM 2018 is a pure Merlot from the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, crafted to showcase the grape at its most elegant and expressive. Sourced from a steep, south-east facing parcel on the estate, this cuvée captures both the richness of Merlot and the finesse of Chianti Classico’s historic terroir. Named after Federico Secondo Matta, it stands as one of the estate’s flagship bottlings and a benchmark for Tuscan Merlot.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, FSM 2018 reveals a deep, intense ruby color with garnet highlights toward the rim, signaling both concentration and early evolution. The nose is layered and refined, offering aromas of ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry, interwoven with notes of violet, cedar, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and a gentle hint of sweet spice and graphite. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet poised, with velvety tannins and a core of dark, ripe fruit balanced by lively acidity. Flavors of black cherry, damson plum and cassis unfold into nuances of espresso, cocoa, warm spice and a delicate mineral edge, reflecting its hillside origin. The finish is long, polished and harmonious. While already approachable, the structure and balance of the 2018 vintage suggest excellent aging potential, evolving gracefully over 8–12 years from the vintage, gaining tertiary notes of leather, truffle and dried herbs with time in the cellar.

Production
FSM comes from a steep, south-east facing vineyard within the Castello Vicchiomaggio estate in the heart of Tuscany, where well-drained, stony soils rich in galestro and limestone encourage low yields and concentrated fruit. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure precise selection of bunches at optimal ripeness, particularly important for Merlot in this warm, sun-exposed site. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks to preserve aromatics and manage extraction, followed by maturation—often in French oak barriques—for added complexity, supple tannin integration and a refined, modern Tuscan profile, all while allowing the purity of Merlot and the character of Vicchiomaggio’s terroir to shine through.

Food & Serving
FSM 2018 pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes such as slow-braised beef, lamb shank, roast duck, or Tuscan-style wild boar ragù. It also complements aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, and mature cow’s milk cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and silky texture. Decanting for 45–60 minutes before serving is recommended, especially in its youth, to allow the wine to open fully and reveal its layered aromas and refined structure.

Producer
Castello Vicchiomaggio is a historic estate located in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany, with roots that stretch back centuries and a long-standing reputation for high-quality wines. The castle and vineyards overlook the Greve valley, a prime zone for fine wine production, where the estate has become known for marrying tradition with a more contemporary, terroir-driven approach. While Vicchiomaggio is particularly celebrated for its Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan wines, cuvées like FSM highlight the winery’s skill with international varieties, especially Merlot, and its ability to craft single-vineyard wines of depth, elegance and regional identity. Over the years, Castello Vicchiomaggio has garnered critical acclaim and recognition in Italy and abroad, solidifying its standing as one of the reference producers in the area.

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