Tenuta Sassoregale, founded in 2002, is located in Civitella Paganico of the Grosseto province in the northern part of the Maremma known as the Alta Maremma.  There are 2 other parts including the southern Maremma, known as Maremma Grossetana, and the Maremma Laziale.  It’s located on the southwestern part of Tuscany close to the Tyrrhenian Sea.  The winery looks over the plains that are crossed by the Ombrone river.   

The Maremma is a rugged landscape covered in forests and rolling hills that was once a marshland that got drained in the beginning of the 20th century.  It’s split between the Tuscany region and Lazio in central Italy.  It’s a land full of sunshine, but with it’s proximity to the sea the vineyards receive cooling breezes to tame the summer heat creating a Mediterranean climate.   

Tenuta Sassoregale produces primarily Sangiovese, but also has plots of Merlot, Syrah and Vermentino.  Back in 2019 they became certified organic by Accredia starting with their 2017 vintage.   

The wine 

I purchased the 2018 Tenuta Sassoregale Sangiovese Maremma Toscana DOC.  the Maremma Toscana was originally an IGT that got promoted up to DOC in 2011.  It does cover a large, diverse territory in the Maremma so you will see a range of styles produced under this DOC. 

The Sangiovese grapes are grown in soil that are primarily made of clay.  This wine is aged in small oak for a short time, although I couldn’t locate the length of time.  Showing a bright, transparent ruby color in the glass.  Fresh acidity with cherry flavors, more on the rustic side, with firm tannins. At $15 a bottle it’s a well valued sangiovese that’s approachable while full of flavor. SRP 13.5% 

I love the label on this wine that features the wild boar, one of my favorite dishes when I visit Italy.  In my research I discovered there are over 150,000 wild boar that roam the region.  The winery chose to use this labeling to represent their wines as they feel the wines they are produced with a “wild and untamed soul” similar to the wild boar.  I remember when I got married back in Tuscany at night I would hear in the vineyards the wild boar roaming about.  Little did they know they were going to be on my plate the next night.