Aromas of sliced apples, peaches, stones, herbs and white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a concentrated, complex and spicy palate. Delicious finish. Drink now
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Aromas of sliced apples, peaches, stones, herbs and white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a concentrated, complex and spicy palate. Delicious finish. Drink now
Bricks and Bing cherries and an almost ethereal aroma of orange blossom on top of crushed rock and graphite are on the nose, with more savory notes of leather and spice developing on the palate, emphasized by the austerity of chalky tannins.
The library-release 2012 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana 10 Anni is dark and earthy in character. Crushed fall leaves and undergrowth nuances blow off to reveal mentholated black currants. This is rich and fleshy in feel, with saline-tinged acids motivating its tart wild berry fruits. It finishes with rounded tannins and wonderful length, along with a bitter twang and hints of balsam that linger. The late-release 2012 displays a beautiful evolution that’s taken place in bottle.
Very cedary on the nose at first, so give it a swirl to allow the rich red fruit and floral notes to give you a proper introduction to this full-bodied and solid red. The cedary element is present throughout, but there’s plenty of fruit to counter it. Firm tannins kick in midway and give some astringency to finish, which will smoothen with some more time in bottle. Give it another year, or even two. Try from 2025.
The 2017 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana takes its time opening in the glass, at first dusty with dried cherries and only a hint of dusty rose. Yet this is worth the wait, as its berry fruit transforms into crushed plums and raspberries, complemented by sweet herbs, hints of animal musk and flowery undergrowth. It washes dark elegant waves of mineral-tinged blackberries across the palate, offset by a twang of sour citrus, as hints of cocoa and tobacco build toward the close. This is structured and noble in feel, yet with enough primary concentration to nearly mask its grippy tannins, as touches of mint and dark chocolate linger through the medium-length finale. The balance that Capezzana has culled from this torridly hot and dry vintage is remarkable. That said, the 2017 is already drinking beautifully today after a good decant. This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese to 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here's a very special treat from Verduno and one of the most exciting new releases we will see from Italy this year. In its inaugural release, the Vietti 2018 Barolo Monvigliero is made with 60% whole cluster fruit, following in time-honored local tradition. The soils of Monvigliero are loose and light in color, producing tight but lean-bodied wines. The use of whole clusters gives the wine more texture, intensity and tannins. With wild berry, rose, dried mint and white licorice and very fine and smooth tannins, this wine is part of a precious 3,207-bottle production.
An idiosyncratic Chardonnay, engaging for its differences, including a delicate overtone of exotic spices and dried herbs and a macerated quality to the expressive blood orange and strawberry fruit flavors, with hints of grated ginger, sea salt and honeycomb. Reveals racy acidity that keeps this light on its feet throughout, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2028.
The 2020 Nero d'Avola is both classically floral and finessed, but with intense depths of dark red berries and exotic spices that keep me coming back to the glass. Its textures are silky, with violet-laced wild berries and mineral tones that create a savory expression toward the close. This leaves a coating of grippy tannins and hints of sour citrus while tapering off with persistence. If checking in today, make sure to enjoy the 2020 alongside a meal. That said, I expect a year of cellaring should add some softer contours.
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