Silvia Vannucci's Piaggia Carmignano Riserva 2019 & 2020 Piaggia Cabernet Franc Poggio de’Colli

 

We all know the story of Super Tuscan wines, how in the 1970's the likes of Antinori broke the rules and introduced French grape varieties to Italy. Hold on. Re-wind. Quite far, in fact, back to the 1500's when Henry II of France married Catherine de Medici. The French gifted the Medici family some Cabernet vines, which they planted in their vineyards in Carmignano. Carmignano is a tiny 110 hectare appellation in Tuscany, protected from the cold of the north by the Apennines, and from the vagaries of coastal weather by the Montalbano hills, with soils rich in clay and schist. It already had a great reputation for growing local varieties like Sangiovese - by the 1700's it had already been given a protected classification - and it has been blending these with Cabernet varieties for hundreds of years. Roll forward to the 1970's, and Mauro Vannucci wanted to buy a house in the country for his family. He bought a piece of land from Count Bonacossi's Villa Capezzana estate, in Poggio a Caiano, which included 2.5 hectares of vines in the Piaggia cru vineyard, in Carmignano. This had been planted in the local style with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, although the cuttings for these had been taken from Chateau Lafite Rothschild... Vannucci started to experiment, got the bug, employed some top consultants, and in very short time started winning top awards and high acclaim from Parker for his Carmignano Riserva. We are delighted to introduce you to Carmignano with Vannucci's 2019 vintage. 'It's hard to put the glass down... This is pure elegance - The balance here is amazing, which might trick readers into finishing their bottles far too quickly, but trust me, the best is truly yet to come. This is Rock Star juice.' Eric Guido, vinous

 

 

Vannucci's daughter Silvia is now in charge of the 20 hectare estate, which is at up to 250 meters above sea level in the Piaggia, Sasso and Poggio de’ Colli crus. She has really dialed back on the new oak, now only using about 10% with each vintage, has introduced organics, only uses wild yeasts, and lets the wines speak for themselves. The 2019 Carmignano Riserva is a blend of 70% Sangiovese along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, which has a year and a half in oak and six months resting in bottle before release. This will age beautifully, but as Eric Guido points out, it might be hard to resist the temptation! 2019 Piaggia Carmignano Riserva @ £225 per 6 It's hard to put the glass down while exploring the depths of raspberry compote, dried orange peels, roses, exotic spice and a dusting of cocoa that form the absolutely stunning bouquet of the 2019 Carmignano Riserva Piaggia. This is pure elegance, It's silky and refined as liquid violet florals and ripe red and black fruits easily rush across the palate. Its vibrant acidity maintains exceptional finesse despite the massive primary concentration slowly taking hold. The 2019 finishes long with a coating of sweet tannins and balsamic-tinged cherry. The balance here is amazing, which might trick readers into finishing their bottles far too quickly, but trust me, the best is truly yet to come. This is Rock Star juice. 96pt, Eric Guido, vinous

 

Alongside the flagship Carmignano Riserva blend, Silvia Vannucci also produces a 100% Cabernet Franc made from the best plots of the Poggio de’ Colli cru vineyard, on the highest part of the Piaggia estate. 'The darkly alluring 2020 Cabernet Franc... is velvety smooth yet finessed. What a radiant vintage for the Poggio de' Colli, Piaggia's varietal Cabernet Franc. Revisit it in five years to see some real sparks fly.' Eric Guido, vinous     Poggio de'Colli Vineyard   Through the use of old French clones present on the estate, and after years of careful vinification and specific wine tastings, the Vannuccis began producing a monovarietal Cabernet Franc: Poggio de' Colli. These vines turn out to be ideally suited to the habitat,  producing wines of outstanding elegance, refinement and complexity. A combination of French tradition with the heart and soul of Tuscany, Poggio de' Colli is an unconventional wine that is both unique and unrepeatable. Definitely one of the cellar, it should be fantastic in a few years! 2020 Piaggia Cabernet Franc Poggio de’Colli  @ £309 per 6 The darkly alluring 2020 Cabernet Franc Poggio de' Colli takes its time in the glass, slowly awakening with a dusty mix of red currants, pepper-tinged rose, exotic curries and the slightest touch of animal musk that adds gravitas. This is velvety smooth yet finessed. It's cool- toned in feel with a potent wave of tart raspberry fruits that saturates the palate with savory spice and mineral tones. It leaves a coating of fine tannins and a staining of berry concentration through the finale, tapering off sapid and long, yet perfectly balanced. What a radiant vintage for the Poggio de' Colli, Piaggia's varietal Cabernet Franc. Revisit it in five years to see some real sparks fly. 97pt, Eric Guido, vinous

 

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