The Castello del Terriccio 2017 Tassinaia is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with a generous and rich style that speaks of the vintage and the warm growing conditions on the Tuscan Coast. Like many of the other blended red wines from this vintage, I found the tannins to be a bit tight and astringent, although it's not too bad. This expression is built for near and medium-term drinking, maybe with roast pork or lamb.

The 2015 Tassinaia is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, now with an element of Syrah. The wine is fermented partly in steel and partly in oak and brings a breeze of spice from the get-go. This second-level red from Castello del Terriccio offers plenty of rich, exuberant and succulent fruit. I imagine it will open nicely over the next few years. Tassinaia is a selection of fruit from different vineyard parcels.

The Castello del Terriccio 2013 Tassinaia is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in equal measure. The wine opens to a darkly saturated garnet color and a very distant point of amber as the wine absorbs the ambient light. It offers offbeat aromas with dusty tones of chopped chestnut and grilled herb. The fruit is not immediate nor is it very evident. Dark chocolate and toasted nut appears on the close. The wine offers balanced acidity and good structure. But the lack of fruit indicates that you might be safest with a medium-term drinking window.