Piaggia - Carmignano Il Sasso 2020
Price: $45.99
Sale Price: $36.99
| Producer | Piaggia |
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| Country | Italy |
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| Region | Tuscany |
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| Varietal | Proprietary Red |
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| Vintage | 2020 |
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| Sku | 13865 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Carmignano is an ancient growing region located in northern Tuscany not far from Pisa. Archaeological digs in the area have found Etruscan artifacts relating to wine production dating back over 3000 years. In the early 1800’s growers in Carmignano started to cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc alongside their native Sangiovese vines, producing the first “Super Tuscan” styled wines long before the craze caught on in Bolgheri and Maremma in the mid-20th century. But Carmignano is tiny, the entire region is planted with just 270 acres of vines, so most of these wines are consumed locally. Carmignano has stayed under the radar to many, and the best gems like this one are incredible values.
Piaggia is one of the pillars of the region. Founder Mauro Vannucci purchased his first vineyards here in 1970, a 2.5 hectare plot from the historic Capezzana estate. Vannucci saw the huge potential of this region and these vines in particular, plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot from Bordeaux’s first growth Château Lafite Rothschild! Today Mauro’s daughter Silvia oversees 15 hectares of vineyards, planted with massal selections of vines from her father’s original vineyard. This Il Sasso bottling is a stunner that captures the brilliance of the 2019 vintage in Tuscany. A blend of 70% old vine Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. I liken it to a top Super Tuscan, yet with more elegance and refinement. Using only two and three year old barriques for ageing the beauty of this region is allowed to shine. Wild berries, rose hip, and smoky earth tones leap enticingly from the glass. A rich, deeply textured palate follows, filled with ample reds fruits and spice. Round supple tannins give a luxurious mouthfeel and long fresh finish keeps you coming back for more. Irresistible now and it will cellar well for another 5-6 years.
Vinous Media: 94 Points
"An intense mix of black raspberry, wild herbs, air-dried meats and smoke form an incredibly deep and characterful bouquet as the darkly alluring 2020 Carmignano Il Sasso opens in the glass. For all of its animalistic nature on the nose, this is remarkably finessed and vivid on the palate. Saline-infused acids energize tart berry fruits. This finishes only lightly structured, marrying a bitter cherry pit twang with hints of blood orange that keep me looking back to the glass for more. The 2020 may be a thrill ride on the palate today, but with a short stay in the cellar, I expect it to explode aromatically. A total knock-out.”
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