Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei Toscana 2020

Price drops to $44.95 per bottle when you purchase 6 or more bottles!

Under $50 for a 96 POINTER (from the always judicious Vinous, no less), this cabernet-based blend stuns! TUSCANY, glorious Tuscany shines bright with this powerful bottling of Panzano wonderment!

Ok, truth be told, I might have snuck onto the Tenuta degli Dei one morning when I was in Panzano back in April. I was staying next door, at the glorious house of Il Molino di Grace, and these two incredible properties are divided only by a rather short fence. I couldn’t resist! The beautiful soils of Chiant Classicoi in Panzano, the world’s first wine region to be entirely certified organic farming, called out to me. It was a cool, simply pristine morning, with rooster’s cawing, and tractors tilling off in the distance. I could just make out the horse pens on the far side of the property, where the Cavalli family raises and trains their exceptional stock. Idyllic, right?

Cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc – not your usual Tuscan suspects, and especially in Panzano (but hey – it totally works for La Massa, doesn’t it?), and there’s no doubt is totally works here as well. The Cavalli Family has run this spectacular estate since the early 70’s and if the name sounds familiar to you fashionistas out there, yes, it is that CAVALLI. Roberto Cavalli, who brought sand-blasted jeans and exotic animal prints to the forefront of 80’s fashion had run the estate with his son, Tomasso, up until his passing last year. The estate breeds horses, grows grapes and makes some truly amazing wines! These classic “Bordeaux '' varieties kissed with the sun in that way that only Tuscany can – the rolling hills, endless skies, incredible sunsets EVERY night...Estate of the Gods, indeed! The wine opens with a silky yet powerful presence of creme de cassis, closely followed by lilacs, red plums, black cherries, blackberries, and red raspberries – all enveloped in roasted sage, cocoa powder, and Tahitian vanilla. Irresistibly easy to sip. There’s a brightness and poise that makes us agree with Vinous’ statement… “The 2020 might be the best vintage yet for this wine.”

I said 96 POINTS, right? FOR THIS PRICE?! While it lasts, friends!!

PAIRING IDEAS: Slow-roasted pork shoulder with mushrooms is my pick here – rub the shoulder with salt, pepper, garlic, roast it low and slow atop a bed of onion, fennel, sage, and rosemary, until you hit about 185 F internal. Then deglaze pot with white wine, toss in some quartered button mushrooms, and turn the heat up to 375 F to caramelize the meat and cook the mushrooms for about 20 -30 minutes. Rustic and refined all at once.