It should be no surprise to see a wine from Tuscany's Bolgheri region that's a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc. This is the region known for its "Super Tuscans" (Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Tignanello, etc.) where these noble grapes have been used for generations.
What IS surprising, however, is for a wine from this region to be this good and to sell for less than $150/bottle. In this case, far, FAR less. If this isn't the best wine value you've discovered this year, please tell us what it was!
The first vintage of Lagone was in 1998, and since then has become the winery's flagship wine. I call it their "Missionary wine", as it creates converts faster than a whole boatload full of Mormons.
The Winery
"Aida Vecchia" is the name of an old building in the Tuscan contryside that is the epicenter for this sprawling winery and its various properties in Bolgheri and coastal Maremma. Currently owned by the Pellegrini family, who have grown and sold grapes in Bohgheri for several generations. After replanting their original vineyards in 1995, they began producing wines under their own label to focus on high-quality Bordeaux varieties.
The winery is now moving onto the next generation, seated on the couch in the images included here.
