Smoky wine with sea weed, angelica and a riper, more exotic core of lemon leaves and mirabelles. Smooth, silky texture, light body and integrated, refreshing acidity with a hint of sulphur smoke in the finish. Drink now.
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The walled city of Soave in the Veneto region is the source (and namesake) of one of the great classic Italian white wines. The town dates from Roman times, and so does the winemaking tradition. The Romans were big fans of minerally, floral wines like those of Soave. The Garganega grapes, that for many centuries have produced Soave wines, come mainly from vineyards in the hills that rise behind the town and march northwestward toward the eastern Valpolicella. This area is now known as Soave Classico and is still the source of the best wines of the denomination due to the hills’ volcanic soils.
Leaving Soave through the Porta Aquila—the north gate of the city’s 14th-century walls—a walk of a mile and a quarter (including a climb of about 500 feet) leads to the top of Mount Foscarino, a dormant volcano now covered with grapevines. In the 1960s, Giuseppe Inama began buying up small vineyard plots on this peak in the heart of the Soave Classico zone, and as a result, the Inama winery today owns most of the vineyards on Mount Foscarino. Giuseppe Inama saw the great potential of these old, traditional vineyards at a time when others were more intent on producing larger quantities in the plains for inexpensive exports. His son Stefano, who took over the winemaking duties in 1992, has continued to work tirelessly to realize the potential of these vineyards, working with some of the very best vineyard management consultants in the world to get Inama’s vineyards into the best possible shape.
Near the top of the hill is a large wooden platform with a 270-degree panoramic view to the south and east. To the right at a distance, it is easy to spot the crenellated walls and towers of Soave Castle as it keeps watch over the town. In the foreground are Inama’s tidy vigneti di Foscarino (Foscarino vineyards). And to the left, over the vineyards and across a broad valley, are a set of hills that are the home of Inama’s other project. These hills—the Colli Berici—are composed of iron-rich terra rossa, a soil type that is prized worldwide as being ideal for growing red winegrapes, and indeed this is where Inama gets its red wines.
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LOCATIONWINERY: San Bonifacio, Veneto VINEYARD: Soave (Verona province) and Colli Berici (Vicenza province), Veneto VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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94
DECEMBER 2025
Inama “Foscarino” Soave DOC Classico 2023
![]() Smoky wine with sea weed, angelica and a riper, more exotic core of lemon leaves and mirabelles. Smooth, silky texture, light body and integrated, refreshing acidity with a hint of sulphur smoke in the finish. Drink now. 92
AUGUST 2025
Inama "Carbonare" Soave DOC Classico 2022
![]() The Inama 2022 Soave Classico Carbonare delivers mid-weight texture with soft tones of peach and other sweet stone fruits presented with attractive layering. The wine also offers fleeting moments of oats and honey from the ripe grape skins that add more depth and complexity overall. It fermented and aged in stainless steel for one year. This is a solid value buy. 94
SEPTEMBER 2025
Inama "I Palchi" Foscarino Soave Classico DOC 2022
![]() The 2022 Soave Classico I Palchi wafts up with a smoky, expressive blend of rosemary, gingery spice and musky citrus complicating crushed apples. It is silken and opulent in feel, enveloping the palate with ripe pit fruits, coming across as weighty and rich yet wonderfully balanced. Nuances of grapefruit mix with inner sage and hints of candied lime as the 2022 tapers off with excellent length yet remains wonderfully fresh. 92
SEPTEMBER 2025
Inama "Carbonare" Soave DOC Classico 2022
![]() The 2022 Soave Classico Carbonare mixes crushed rocks with lemon oil and nuances of nectarine. It opens with a pretty inner sweetness offset by juicy acidity, while saline mineral tones and ripe pit fruits swirl across its silken textures. The finish is long yet crisp, leaving candied citrus tones to resonate. 94
SEPTEMBER 2025
Inama “Oratorio di San Lorenzo” Colli Berici DOC Carmenère Riserva 2020
![]() The 2020 Colli Berici Oratorio di San Lorenzo is dusty and floral with nuances of peppery rose, crushed rocks and raspberries. It is elegant and silky smooth upon entry, with crisp red berry fruits and mineral tones motivated by cooling acidity. A tart cranberry concentration puckers the cheeks, offset by sweet spice and violet inner florals as this finishes long and staining yet expertly balanced. Beautiful. 97
NOVEMBER 2025
Inama “Foscarino” Soave DOC Classico 2022
![]() Cellar Selections: The Best Age-Worthy Wines of 2025 # 12. Foscarino as a modern-day muse. An inspiring wine that can lead to greater ideas. This profound wine opens with aromas of quince, roasted Fuji, preserved kumquats and an entire meadow full of flowers that encompasses all senses. Rich on the palate, yet stately the wine threads the needle as flavors of orange flower water, white peach, mint and honey flow into a sea of crushed shells and green almonds giving a salty, savory finish that languishes. Drink Now - 2040 94
DECEMBER 2025
Inama "Carbonare" Soave DOC Classico 2023
![]() Smoky style with stony minerality, almost under-ripe apricots, green bananas and some lime peel. Light to medium body and crisp acidity carrying very lemony flavors. Good, polished finish. Drink now. 92
JANUARY 2025
Inama “Bradisismo” Colli Berici Cabernet DOC 2020
![]() Their plump 2020 Bradisismo, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Carmenère, delivers delectable spiciness, presumably from the Carmenère, that offsets the ripe black fruit qualities of Cabernet. Fine tannins support the plush texture without interfering. Not overwrought, this bright and bold red would be perfect with a steak this winter. |
