The 2008 Bolgheri Superiore Tam is the estate’s more important wine, but I don’t find it meaningfully more complex than the Pean. The Tam is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Cabernet Franc that spent two years in French oak barrels, versus one year for the Pean. It shows considerable richness and density in its dark plums, cherries, mocha and espresso. The style is bigger and darker than the Pean, but again, not necessarily more complex. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
These are two beautiful wines from Batzella, an emerging producer on the Tuscan coast. Both wines are 65-70% Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest Cabernet Franc.
Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476