La Braccesca – Achelo 2023
Cortona DOC – Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹
100% Syrah
Overview
Achelo is La Braccesca’s pure expression of Syrah, grown in the Cortona appellation — an area that has quickly become Tuscany’s benchmark for this Rhône varietal. Unlike the usual Sangiovese-driven Tuscan reds, this bottle showcases Syrah’s fruit-forward, spicy elegance in a Mediterranean setting.
Aromas & Flavors
Juicy blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry up front, layered with violet, black pepper, and a faint hint of licorice. A touch of Mediterranean herbs rounds it out beautifully.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively freshness. Silky tannins carry a supple, juicy core of fruit, finishing smooth and vibrant without heaviness.
Food Pairings
Pairs effortlessly with grilled sausages, roasted duck, Tuscan cured meats, or pasta with rich ragù. Also a great match for charred vegetables.
Verdict
Expressive, fruity, and juicy to the last sip. Achelo 2023 is a surprising Tuscan treasure that proves Syrah thrives in Cortona — both approachable now and worth watching as it develops.
Did You Know?
Though Syrah is more famously associated with the Rhône Valley, Cortona DOC in Tuscany has built a reputation for world-class Syrah, thanks to its favorable microclimate and clay-limestone soils. — 8 months ago
Delicious white wine! Recommended by wegmans salesperson and I’d definitely get it again. — a year ago
Smooth red with cherry flavor but not too sweet. Wonderful body and aftertaste — 8 years ago
2008 delightful and easy to drink. — 10 years ago
Wine we drank at Gianni's in Aruba. So good!! Light and fruity — 11 years ago
Requiere tomarse a 18 grados. Seco y terroso. Aspero — 12 years ago
Great wine balanced and fruity aroma (apple) — 13 years ago
Aged in new French oak. Pure Syrah. Inky ruby coloration. On the nose, dark cherry, cassis, minerals, earth, leather, vanilla. On the palate, full bodied, rich mouthfeel, dark berry, cassis, spice and loads of chocolate. Long chocolaty finish. Tannins still present and persistent. — 5 months ago
Has Vermentino fallen out of favour with Italians and is being replaced by a taste for Chardonnay?
Maybe but I don't want to believe it yet.
On hot summer days there is not much more refreshing than a well chilled glass of Vermentino. Chilled is a must - it still has enough oomph in the nose to release its floral essence. Once it comes up to room temp it can be overwhelmingly perfumey IMHO. Good acid balance.
I'm pretty convinced that you can trust anything from Fontori to be a solid choice. — 9 months ago
2018 Montalcino at Felice. Very good! — 5 years ago
Nice and buttery, not anything super special — 6 years ago
Very easy to drink, good blend. — 7 years ago
Hint of plum and spice, high viscosity and sharp tannins, smooth for a blend. Makes me think of Italy... — 9 years ago
Had at the Incanto porchetta party — 12 years ago
Very light, refreshing — 13 years ago
Buy a case. By Antinori, the same people who make tignanelo — 6 months ago
38th bday 🤌🏻 — 7 months ago
Very good, as always (my third vintage). A cherry, strawberry, leather, vanilla and smoke maybe. High, pleasant acidity. Tannins on their way to smoothness. — 8 months ago
Had this one at Capo’s in LV. Went down well with the meal. — 2 years ago
Sweet, refreshing, crisp. Great moscato. — 6 years ago
Really tasty Napa Chardonnay with a nice balance of creaminess and minerality. Not too oaky, not too steely, but just right, with a touch of nutmeg on top. Enjoyed the 2016 vintage with lobster bisque and a grilled 3-lb lobster at The Palm Restaurant in LA. — 7 years ago
Nice hot day today and the cool white wine was just the ticket . Medium acidity and beautiful notes of fresh fruit and flowers had it with pork and will buy this one again and again — 9 years ago
Great for a pre-meal drink! No oak, dry with a clean finish. — 11 years ago
One of rhe most tasty white Orvieto Wine — 13 years ago
Dylan Jenkins
Smooth notes, very dark fruits, had with pasta bolognese and loved it — 5 months ago