“No region in Italy is fully suitable for the production of Pinot Noir”. said Burgundy expert Giancarlo Marino in a recent interview on Intravino. All we have is single vineyards and individual producers who make Pinot Noirs that are at once distinctive and reminiscent of Burgundy. Among these, Podere della Civettaja stands out. This natural wine producer from the Tuscan Apennines makes refined Pinots even in the most challenging vintages.
Fermented spontaneously and aged for 12 months in used barrels, the 2017 Pinot Noir by Podere della Civettaja is just as flamboyant as the best reds from Cote d’Or. Sporting a classically transparent ruby color with light garnet hues, this elegant Pinot combines ripe, luscious fruit with scents of damp earth, wild herbs, dried rose, cumin, and ginseng. Silky tannins backbone pristine, downright delicious flavors of blood orange and brambly red fruit. The long and multifaceted finish offers an almost seamless flow of Turkish coffee, incense, and lavender.
Vincenzo Tommasi, the owner of Podere della Civettaja, was literally dazzled on the way to Côte d’Or. An agronomist by training, he moved back to Tuscany in 2002, and established a Pinot-centric winery in Casentino, a montainous area in the Province of Arezzo that is better known for the production of luxury textiles. Over the last few years, Casentino has become home to a noteworthy number of vineyards/producers excellent Pinot Noir. Vincenzo also founded Vignaioli di Pinot Nero toscana, an association that gathers Tuscan wineries specializing in Pinot Noir.
Score: 93/100
Podere della Civettaja
52015 Casina Rossa (AR)
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