Recently, I was looking for a good wine to drink with a rich, hearty, and meaty pappardelle pasta with Bolognese sauce I'd made. I perused the wine cabinet and came across --- an Italian wine I'd forgotten about: Tenuta de Frescobaldi di Castiglioni 2009 ($25) from the Tuscan winemakers Marchesi de Frescobaldi.

Wow! This is a wonderful wine, even though it's quite young. It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Sangiovese (10%). In other words, similar to a typical Bordeaux blend, but with some Sangiovese added.

Well, this Tuscan red (from the Tenuta di Castiglioni estate in the commune of Montespertoli) is simply beautiful: both rich and elegant at the same time. It's deep ruby-red color suggested harsh tannins to me, but nope. Instead, the wine was soft and subtle, with well-balanced and well-integrated acidity and tannins, and flavors of dark fruits along with mocha, vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. The wine's finish is long and luscious.

It was outstanding with my pasta Bolognese, but I think Tenuta de Frescobaldi di Castiglioni would also be great with wild game and full-flavored roasts.

Photos by Ted Scheffler