Campo di Magnacosta 2016
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
A single vineyard at 400 m asl, Campo di Magnacosta is a 1.5-hectare parcel of river gravel and silt on the valley’s bottom, planted with cuttings from Pomerol.
2016 was such an uncertain season, and yet the results are exceptional wines. The clue to this vintage was to recognize the long August’s burn, hidden behind the rains – at the season’s break, the storms were just revitalizing thirsty grapes. We welcomed the rain every time, instead of picking before it arrived: that was the way we brought in a great harvest.
In the first days of October, a light rain fell over the cabernet franc, then the fields dried.The valley became a black sea of grapes to pick, with the advancing moon threatening to drag the fruit into a plusher state. We called all the pickers of the area and brought the fruit for this wine in on the 13th. Magnacosta is beautiful expression of cabernet franc that is detailed and precise.
REVIEWS
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, 94 points: “The 2016 Campo di Magnacosta is an intriguing wine. A 100% Cabernet Franc from a tiny 1.5 hectare parcel on an old gravel river bed the Magnacosta is racy, silky and quite rich, as all these wines are. There is terrific aromatic brightness in the 2016, but less in the way of pure varietal Franc notes. Even so, there is something incredibly inviting to the wine. Super-ripe red cherry, pomegranate, mint and rose petal notes add striking shades of nuance through to the persistent finish. I would cellar the 2016 to allow more nuance to develop.”
International Wine Report, 93 points: “Campo di Magnacosta is a 1.5-hectare vineyard located about 1,500 feet above sea level and consists of soils characterized by a parcel of river gravel and silt. The result is the most mineral driven of the three single vineyard Cabernet Franc wines from Tenuta di Trinoro. It begins with inviting aromas of dark cherries and cassis along with tobacco, violets, leather and licorice all underlined by gravel and wet stone nuances. On the palate this possesses a medium-plus to full body that is beautifully structured and polished, with wonderful concentration. The mineral-driven core is surrounded by lovely dark fruits, tobacco and sweet spice nuances. It continues to impress with its remarkable balance, as everything comes to an end on the long, precise, mineral-laced finish. Campo di Magnacosta should have a fantastic future, and is another outstanding wine from Andrea Franchetti in this vintage.”
100% Cabernet Franc
