Even many people who love Italian wines are not familiar with Carmignano because it’s overshadowed by its big neighbor Chianti and because it makes so little red wine. It was one of the first regions to permit Cabernet Sauvignon to be part of the varietal mix, even before the Super Tuscans.
The key historic producer there is Capezzana, and we have five of their wines (see Capazzana estate photo above). There also is a large load of Mendoza wines from Argentina.
Pucker up and pour.
2023 Cala Bennati Friuli Pinot Grigio ($20). Very floral in the nose and on the palate, lightly fruity-sweet with piquant bitters around the edges.
2023 Capezzano Toscana Trebbiano ($32). Full-bodied with fresh fruitiness – apples, ripe pears – with wood notes and lots of fresh acidity.
2019 Buscado “Vivo o Muerto La Verdad” San Pablo Chardonnay ($39). Flavors of fresh grapes and tropical fruits and some cereal notes, but with a lean profile and a crisp finish.
2020 Buscado “Vivo o Muerto El Cerro” Gualtallary Chardonnay ($39). A lot of energy in a mildly oxidative style, with tart apple flavors and stony minerality.
2017 Tahuan Tahuantinsuyu Cabernet Sauvignon ($17). Soft cherry and ripe plum fruitiness with good finishing acidity.
2022 Esporâo “Monte Velho” Alentejano Red Wine Reserva ($18). Ripe plum and cherry flavors with a pleasant underlying green herbal note.
2022 Capezzana “Barco Reale” di Carmignano ($19). Medium body with fresh cherries and a pleasant raspy finish.
2020 Ánimal “National Vineyards” Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon ($25). Lean, with blackberry and black currant flavors, some savory notes, a little gamey and mildly tannic.
2020 Capezzana “Villa di Capezzana” Carmignano ($32). Lots of tannins with bright berry flavors and some smoky notes.
2019 Siesta Tahuantinsuyu Cabernet Sauvignon ($35). A little tart, a little lean but enjoyable with dried berry flavors.
2021 Capezzana “Ghiaie della Furba” Toscana IGT ($67). Ripe fruitiness with hints of green stems, good depth of flavors, chewy tannins.
2013 Capezzana “Villa di Capezzana 10 Anni” Carmignano ($67). Luscious textures, dark fruits, loads of tannins.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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