Just bordering the Bolgheri DOC among the hills of Bibbona lies the estate of Tenuta di Biserno in western Tuscany along the coast. Lodovico Antinori (in the video), one of the founding partners of Biserno, discovered some striking similarities between the terroir of Biserno and that of Masseto but instead of planting mostly Merlot like Masseto, he planted Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Lodovico was the founder of Tennuta dell'Ornellaia but sold the famous property in the early 2000s.
Most of Lodovico’s wines are a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. But he also makes a pure Cabernet Franc, called Lodovico. James met with the Tuscan nobleman -- his family at large own one of Tuscany's biggest vintners Antinori -- at his beach house for a impromptu tasting. The wines included 2008 Biserno, 2009 Biserno, 2008 Il Pino, 2009 Il Pino and 2008 Lodovico.
Biserno is made up of a carefully balanced assemblage of mainly Cabernet Franc, Merlot and smaller quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Watch Lodovico and James discuss the different character that each of these varietals add to the wines.
-JGA
