Bakkanali Rosa Toscana Rosato 2023
Varieties: Sangiovese
Region: Monte Amiata, Tuscany, Italy
Producer: Bakkanali / Ugo, Isabella, and Sebastian
Costs: $55-$65
Missive: In Defense of Bacchus
I swirl a delicious Tuscan rosato in my glass as Alchemist beats play in the background. This is a time of veneration and enjoyment. Life has been happening at full speed lately, which makes these nights of reflection even more necessary. And enjoyable. The pairing of a delicious bottle from Bakkanali with my favorite hip-hop producer is worth exploring further. I am not entirely sure what tonight’s missive has in store, but it will be a fun one. My main goal of the night is to celebrate, honor, and pay homage to one of the greats: Bacchus, or Dionysus, whichever you prefer.
As always, we shall turn to the wine first. This is a stunning bottle of Bakkanali. A rosato with some time under its belt. If you told the average consumer that you were enjoying a three-year-old rosé, they might think you had lost your mind. However, I am here to tell you that this thing is alive and well.
I love seeing what rosé can do with some time in the bottle. A lot of mass-produced rosés that rely on bracing acidity and ‘freshness’ certainly do fall apart after a year or so. Fall apart may be harsh, but let’s just say they become a tad more flat. However, there is a whole category of rosés that only get better with time in the bottle. Take into consideration Clos Cibonne, anything from Bandol, or a producer like López de Heredia. Yet, tonight we are here to discuss the genius of Bakkanali, whom I would absolutely put in this category. Let me explain why.
This rosato from Bakkanali is currently three years old. It is so THERE, and each sip just leaves you wanting more, leaving the drinker both satisfied and perplexed. “How does a rosé achieve such complexity?” is what one may ask. Well, let me first tell you what I am getting from this wine.
On the nose, you get this intensely fragrant strawberry note. But the strawberries are those that have just been soaked in a fresh, spring rain. In keeping with the fruit notes, the strawberries are complemented by a delicious cherry hard-candy note. Even though this wine is dry, there is a tasty, candied, sweet component to this Sangiovese. Here is where things get interesting, though. Underlining all of the red fruit are intriguing savory, herbaceous notes. Whether that is due to the variety itself, location & terroir, or alchemy in the bottle is up for debate. Perhaps it is a combination of all the above.
Following those cherry and strawberry notes, you get swept up in the beauty of terroir and tertiary notes. For example, walking hand in hand with the red fruit is this very pronounced fennel and Mediterranean herb component note. White pepper is sprinkled over these Tuscan herbs for a beautiful summer salad. Maybe that is the best way to describe this Tuscan rosato: it is essentially a perfect summer salad in wine form. Red fruit combined with herbs and spice, but it just happens to have an ABV % associated with it.
Bacchus would approve of this summer salad. The ancient god of wine, amongst other things, would especially get a kick out of his image on the bottle. Every Bakkanali bottle features an art piece depicting Bacchus or Dionysus. That comes down to whether you are an Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome person. I will leave that debate open in the comments. Heck, my namesake is derived from Alexander the Great. The Prince of Macedonia himself. Therefore, you can probably imagine where I line up in that debate.
Ahh, there really is nothing quite like opening a bottle of wine to reflect upon. You reflect on the bottle, and you end up reflecting on your life as well. The reflections on the bottle complement my overall thoughts on life. I chose a Bakkanali bottle from the cellar to accompany my meal tonight for a handful of reasons.
First off, I am mentally preparing for my part in an upcoming harvest in Tuscany. I was able to do the 2025 harvest with Bakkanali last year, and I am lucky enough to repeat the experience this year as well. I reached out to Ugo a few months back, after a visit in the spring, and one thing led to another. Two years in a row with the most exciting new producer in southern Tuscany, IN MY OPINION, is an opportunity you just cannot pass up.
There are other reasons one can choose a bottle of Bakkanali. One large one is in the name itself: Bakkanali. You drink a bottle of this, and you open the possibility for Dionysian rituals in the 21st century. If you have been around for a while, you know I am a huge believer in the idea of a vino da meditazione. Those wines that you use to probe the corners of your mind, however afflicted they may be at the time. Mine happen to be a nice balance of joyous and afflicted. The Middle Way in full effect here.
Balance, balance, balance. I have happened to lack it in recent times. A busy season of life, accompanied by an overactive mind, yields disaster for those not fully on their toes. You must be en garde. Do not let those feet get flat. It is beneficial to practice reactions to what may befall you in life. That could apply to the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
For me, these nights of wine, music, and probing are always a healthy way of finding out if I am en garde. Each glass sort of unfurls another layer of recent activities, behaviors, and moments. Am I being a good man? Have I overcommitted in any one direction of my life? Do I need to stock the cellar with more Tuscan rosatos? I have answers to all these questions.
I guess the one I can answer for you all now is yes, I will absolutely grab some more rosatos for the cellar. I want to give these things three to five years to fully develop themselves. Imagine serving aged Tuscan rosato at important life events, whatever they may be. That immediately brings up the idea of large format bottles as well. Yes, I will have a host of rosatos in magnum form for reasons of my own. The 2023 vintage of Bakkanali’s rosa will surely be featured. Heavily. Folks, grab a bottle of this wine and have an ancient Greek ritual in your own way. Whether that’s turning on Spotify and dancing by yourself, or putting The Alchemist on repeat as you write. It takes all types in this world. Cheers to Tuscan rosato and upcoming harvest moments. I will keep you all updated along the way.
Excellent reading outloud to Bill while we are driving! Smiling, Carole
So excited for your return back to Italy for a harvest. Enjoy!!!