Winemaker Notes
Absolute. In other words, no limits, a constantly evolving value. Like the exclusive commitment needed to make this Franciacorta dedicated to Annamaria Clementi, founder of Ca' del Bosco and Maurizio Zanella's mother. No compromises, no concessions. Only the finest grapes from the various crus are earmarked for this icon wine. And only in the finest years. Meticulous vinification and very lengthy bottle refinement at least seven years on yeasts. This is how a great wine is created, unique, magnificently golden and with ultra-fine perlage. Extraordinarily complex bouquet, exceptionally full and persistent taste. An absolute Franciacorta.
An excellent wine for special occasions. It is a natural companion with Osetra Caviar, mushrooms and truffles, scallop and lobster.
Blend: 65% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Bianco, 15% Pinot Nero
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
This charming Franciacorta is softly creamy and fine on the palate, exuding aromas and flavors of baked yellow apple and pear fruit, salted almond, lemon-infused pastry cream and candied ginger flavors. A spine of rapier-like acidity drives this through to the minerally finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. Drink now
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.