Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba 2000 – Supertuscan at a reasonable price
written by David Anderson limited rights reserved ViewItaly.blogspot.com
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It is rare that we have been surprised by the quality of a wine. We are passionate about wine. Before opening a bottle we have done a great deal of research about the producer, the grape, the vineyard and the climate for the year the grapes were grown. Our usual prowess in determining the quality of wines has been pleasantly questioned by the most recent acquisitions to our repertoire of wines.
Not that Capezzana is a young producer. No, the vineyards were first planted in 1804. The current owners, the Bonacossi family, have been in Carmignano since 1920 and the father ran the company for over 80 years. The wines of the Capezzana vineyards only received the recognition of DOC in 1975. This has been a reason of contention and the wines had not been widely accepted.
Ghiaie della Furba was a table wine, good quality, marvelous flavor and complexity but still a table wine. In 1979 the family decided to remake the wine, taking it from a table wine to a structured and complex wine. These characteristics are the makings of a fantastic price quality relationship. But is this mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah a good wine.
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We should have decanted at least ½ hour but we were intrigued by the lack of tannins. Raffaella broke out the balloon glasses. This immediately told me that she was also thinking this was an interesting wine. I poured ¼ glass and set it there on the table. Five minutes should be long enough to let the flavors settle. This was just enough time to check email before sitting down for dinner. When I returned, convinced we would raise our glasses together, there she was, glass in hand, sipping on the almost empty glass.
She shrugged her shoulders, smiling slyly, when she heard me protest and simply responded, “You were busy and the wine smelled really good!”
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Ghiaie della Furba is truly a wine of grand class and noble extraction. Most likely it will age well in the 10-15 year range and all this structure and complexity at a reasonable price. This wine is a pleasant surprise and has earned a place in my cellar.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
Color: Deep and Intense Ruby Red.
Bouquet: Intense fruit flavors with a hint of spices.
Flavor: Full bodied and fruity, Bing cherries, Chocolate and wild berries. Encompassing with a distinct finish of tannins.
Alcohol Content: 13.5 %
Serving Temperature: 18-20 c.
Decanting: ½ hour.
Pouring: No special conditions.
Glass: use a clear wide bellied, deep, stemmed glass. This will allow the wine to continue to breath and will release its aroma as you move the glass toward your mouth. This will allow the wine to continue to decant.
Tags: Capezzana Tuscany Prato Food and Wine Italian Wine B & B Travel Italy
Labels: Agriturismo, Italian Wine, Red Wine, Wine Vacations, Wineries
2 Comments:
Hi David, it's been sometimes since I last visited your blog. I love yr new look, esp the sunflowers... so refreshing and nice. : )
7:30 AM
Well, I guess I should take this to say that I have not been writing things that kept your interest. I will have to do better. In any case I am extremely content that you have stopped by.
David
9:20 AM
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