Campo di Tenaglia 2016
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
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 moon rose decisively, and in two vineyards the grapes seemed on the cusp of maturity already on the 6th – I would have preferred to have waited until the 8th to harvest, but I knew more rain was coming so we harvested those plots immediately, including the Campo di Tenaglia. This vintage, the wine from Tenaglia is opaque, compact, and long lasting.
REVIEWS
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, 95 points: “The 2016 Campo di Tenaglia, 100% Cabernet Franc from a parcel planted on decomposed limestone, is explosive, dark and inviting, with tons of black cherry, blackberry jam, gravel, smoke, licorice and dark chocolate. A wine of brooding power and gravitas, the Campo di Tenaglia shows the more virile side of Cabernet Franc oft great effect. In this tasting, it is dazzling.”
International Wine Report, 96 points: “Campo di Tenaglia is a 0.8-hectare vineyard located at 1,700 feet above sea level, with vines planted to 8 feet of crumbled limestone. This 100% is utterly fascinating as it begins with striking aromatics of blackberries, dark cherries, tobacco, violets, dusty leather, herbs and crushed stones all taking shape. On the palate this is medium-plus to full-bodied, with beautifully polished, round, velvety tannins that make for a gorgeous seamless mouthfeel. Displaying wonderful concentration and depth, along with excellent overall balance, this continues to thoroughly impress through the long opulent, yet fresh finish. This is a total beauty, and while it is the most accessible of these single vineyard Cabernet Franc wines from Andrea Franchetti, it should also continue to evolve gracefully for many years to come.”
I Vini di Veronelli, Super Tre Stelle
ALTITUDE
500 m asl
PRODUCTION
1,900 bottles (158 cases)
BLEND
100% Cabernet Franc
