Capezzana Villa Di Capezzana DOCG 2012
$59.99
6 pack special buy.
Out of stock
Description
“Count Ugo Contini Bonacossi, now in his 70’s is undoubtedly one of the most significant figures in Tuscan and indeed Italian viticulture of the twentieth century” Nicolas Belfrage, Brunello to Zibbibo.
“The Capezzana estate, the flagship of Carmignano just north of Florence, makes even the Antinori and Frescobaldi look like parvenus. Records of winemaking there date back to the time of Charlemagne in the ninth century… I concentrated on their delicious Carmignano which is usually nowadays a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that has been grown in Carmignano much longer than in most of Tuscany… This was a truly inspiring range with the 1931 (yes. 1931) in great condition.” Jancis Robinson MW, Capezzana of Carmignano – 2004 back to 1931.
Carmignano is today one of Tuscany’s most exciting, up and coming wine regions with an ancient history of quality wine growing that goes back to 800 AD!
Distanced from the maddening bustle of Chianti Classico, the Tenuta di Capezzana is the vanguard Estate (organic vineyard practices) in this small zone west of Florence, specialising in wines of ineffable elegance and style. A fine blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, dense fruit, gorgeous aromatics of red berries, cinnamon and black pepper with vibrant juicy cherry and redcurrant flavours. Beguiling elegance, density and structure in this delicious tuscan offering.
At 150-200 metres above sea level, lower lying than the Chianti norm, Carmignano can ripen Sangiovese a full fortnight earlier than Chianti and has no trouble ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. This latter variety is no newcomer to Carmignano. The tradition of blending small quantities of Cabernet with Sangiovese began in this area in the 1700s! Carmignano was also the first recognised region in Italy to have Cabernet and Merlot incorporated in to the DOCG. In fact, it is the only region where Cabernet must make up at least 10% of the blend. Legend has it that Capezzana’s vines were sourced directly from a little known Pauillac vineyard called Lafite! Regardless, the best wines of the region bear no resemblance to the Super Tuscan style. On the contrary, they are a lesson in how judicious blending can assist in bringing out the personality of local vineyards, as opposed to the other way around. The 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend for this wine has been in place for well over a decade with previous blending of Canaiolo now used solely in the Barco Reale.
Capezzana is today run by the younger generation of the Contini Bonacossi family. Beatrice Contini Bonacossi – or, simply, Bea – manages the property alongside her three siblings, who between them are continuing to evolve the practices and culture of this historic producer. As of last year, all of the vineyards are now certified organic, and the overall vineyard management would make a top Burgundy estate proud. Current practices include massale selection, inter-row cover crops, increasing planting densities and biodynamic trials. This ‘best practice’ approach has also been applied to the cellar work, and the wines now have a suppleness of tannin, purity of fruit and a freshness that is certainly at another level. Bea’s sister, Bendetta, is now exclusively using native yeasts for her fermentations, and the move to large oak vessels – while simultaneously reducing the amount of new oak used – is also paying off, big time. All of these details add up.
In more recent times, Capezzana has become Carmignano’s iconic producer, in no small part due to their pool of densely planted, old vines on the rocky slopes of Montealbano. The best fruit is reserved for the Villa Di Capezzana, a wine that I think is well entitled to be called Carmignano’s “First Growth”.
Hand harvested and naturally fermented with a portion of whole bunches, today this wine is exclusively matured in large, 3,500 litre botti. The 2012 is a highly aromatic and luscious black cherry-and-more-ish tar/graphite noted Carmignano, with a suave texture, beautifully framed by ripe tannins. There’s also some lovely, pretty floral notes as well as some iodiney depths. Its fine, its long and the powdery Tuscan grip also makes it a beauty at the table. Authentic, unique and delicious – welcome to the ‘new’ Capezzana.
RRP $70
Additional information
Region or Country | Italy, Tuscany |
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Variety | Sangiovese |
Vintage | 2012 |
Producer | Capezzana |