Winemaker Notes
Pine, orange, and lavender are just a few of the heady aromas. The tension of purple fruit, super-fine tannins, a hint of salinity and a mellow acidity add pleasurable presence in the mouth. A stunning example of the potential of Cesanese.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Damiano Ciolli 2021 Olevano Romano Cesanese Riserva (in the bottle with the black wax capsule) is 100% Cesanese d'Affile fermented in cement and put into large oak casks for one year, followed by another year in cement and a third year in bottle. Fruit comes from a one-hectare site that was planted in 1953 on red soils of volcanic origin. This plot is located at a cool 400 meters above sea level. The wine shows some ripeness, however, with raspberry roll-up and baked cherry over a mid-weight texture. It offers the pretty qualities of a natural wine made with little intervention. I also find it especially gastronomic, with the freshness and volume to pair across from a Roman favorite such as cacio e pepe.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Known as the ancient homeland of the Latins, today there is a vigorus wine industry beyond the city limits of modern, bustling Rome. The Cesanese grape, full of red berry, spice and rose, is responsible for Lazio’s only true local reds. Lazio’s most famous white wine, called Frascati, is based on the local Malvasia del Lazio and Trebbiano Toscana. A sweet version, called Cannellino di Frascati, is also made.