Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Baffonero 2017

Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "The Maremma Baffo Nero '17, a monovarietal Merlot, stands out (not for the first time) among this Gavorrano producer's selection. Dark aromas span ripe fruit and hints of pencil lead, spicy nuances, tobacco, chocolate and vanilla. In the mouth, the wine enters broad and sweet, making you feel its powerful structure, with crisp, tightly-wound tannins, and a broad, deep finish. (2021)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Baffonero is a wild, beautiful wine. Deep, dark and exquisitely layered, with striking inner perfume, the 2017 has been nothing short of fabulous in several recent tastings. It balances power, silkiness and depth with tons of stylishness. Succulent black cherry, mocha, spice, new leather and licorice build over time. The 2017 is easily the best Baffonero yet. Drink: 2023-2037. (Jan 2021)"

94 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "This is an ambitious and aspirational Merlot from the Tuscan Coast. The 2017 Maremma Toscana Baffonero does a good job of hiding the heat and drought of the vintage, and I can't imagine that achieving these balanced results was remotely easy. The early-ripening Merlot grape tends to show heavy and jammy results in 2017, but this wine escapes relatively unscathed. Dark fruit and black cherry cede to flashy notes of baking spice, cigar box and campfire ash. The finish is polished and the tannins are elegant. Drink: 2020-2035. (Jan 2021)"

94 points James Suckling: "Violets, rich black cherries and a melange of fresh herbs. Full-bodied with lots of crushed black fruit and fine, silky tannins that carry light licorice and polished vanilla aromas into a long finish. Classy and young. A little linear now, but delicious. This needs a year or two to settle and expand in every direction. 100% Merlot. Delicious wine. Best in 2022. (10/13/20)"