2020 Il Palagio Shape of My Heart

2020 Il Palagio Shape of My Heart is a beautiful and surprisingly affordable Super Tuscan from Il Palagio, the Tuscan estate of Sting and Trudie Styler. The wine combines the freshness and elegance of Sangiovese with the roundness of Merlot. Because this blend does not comply with the strict DOCG regulations, the wine is released as Toscana IGT, a classification that actually includes many of the most famous Super Tuscans.

Il Palagio

Il Palagio is a historic estate between Florence and Siena that has been owned by Sting and Trudie Styler since the late 1990s. What began as a passion project has grown into a renowned winery where sustainability, biodiversity, and respect for the Tuscan landscape are central. The vineyards are situated at altitudes between 100 and 200 meters above sea level and benefit from clay and tufa soils that provide an excellent balance of ripeness, freshness, and structure.

For more information about Il Palagio, please refer to the Winery tab.

A modern Super Tuscan

Shape of My Heart is named after one of Sting's most famous songs and reflects the same harmony and refinement. The wine is made from Sangiovese and Merlot, a combination that links classic Tuscan elegance with a soft, international style. It is precisely because of this blend that the wine falls outside the traditional appellation rules and is awarded the Toscana IGT classification.

While many Super Tuscans now rank among the most expensive wines in Italy, Shape of My Heart offers particularly attractive value for money. It is a wine that makes the style of a modern Super Tuscan accessible to a wide audience.

Vineyard and vinification

The grapes come from various plots in the provinces of Florence and Siena, where clay and tufa soils ensure excellent water retention and fine aromatic concentration. The harvest takes place entirely by hand at the end of September.

After temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, a seven-day maceration of the skins follows to optimally extract color, fruit, and soft tannins. Subsequently, the wine ages in the bottle for several months before being released onto the market. This relatively pure vinification emphasizes fruit, balance, and drinkability.

Scent, taste and character

The wine has a deep ruby red color and opens with aromas of ripe cherries, plums, and red forest fruit, complemented by notes of sweet spices and a subtle spiciness.

On the palate, Shape of My Heart is smooth, harmonious, and beautifully balanced. The Sangiovese provides lively freshness and refinement, while the Merlot adds extra roundness and softness. Ripe tannins give the wine sufficient structure without it losing its accessible character.

The finish is long and elegant, with ripe red fruit, soft spices, and a pleasant Tuscan freshness.

Drinking window and food and wine pairings

The 2020 Shape of My Heart is ready to drink immediately and will develop beautifully over the next five to eight years.

Preferably serve the wine at 17 to 18°C.

Delicious with pasta with ragù, grilled beef or veal, lamb, pizza with truffle or mushrooms, aged cheeses, and vegetarian dishes with grilled vegetables.