Capezzana, Barco Reale di Carmignano
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CA103A23 | 12 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
| 2023 | CA103H23 | 12 x 37.5 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Capezzana, in the Carmignano zone to the west of Florence, is owned and run by the Contini Bonacossi family who are the latest in a long line of owners. The history of the estate has been found to stretch back to 804 AD. This is evidenced by contracts to rent vines and olive groves at Capezzana, signed in this period, which exist in the archives in Florence.
Today, the responsibility for ensuring the continuation of such longevity lies with the fourth generation of the Contini Bonacossi family. Beatrice Contini Bonacossi looks after all marketing and communication aspects, while her sister Benedetta is in charge of winemaking. Franco Bernabei is their consultant winemaker, under whose guidance the Capezzana wines have achieved additional focus and personality.
The estate comprises 80 hectares of vineyard and 30,000 olive trees, all of which are farmed organically. The wines were certified organic from the 2015 vintage. Capezzana’s reds display supple and silky tannins combined with luminous fruit. The ‘Barco Reale’ is rounded and ripe with a great balance between fruit and structure. The ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano is made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for an average of 12 months in French oak. The resulting wine is beautifully intense and elegant.
The ’Ugo Contini Bonacossi’ pays homage to the family’s late patriarch who was a great advocate and ambassador of the Carmignano denomination. The wine is 100% Sangiovese, sourced from the Viticciana vineyard Ugo himself selected. In 1979, Ugo and Vittorio Contini Bonacossi decided to produce a Bordeaux blend in Carmignano. ‘Ghiaie della Furba’ is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot grapes, planted on gravelly soils (Ghiaie) near the Furba stream after which the wine is named. The Trebbiano shows aromas of yellow flowers, almonds and vanilla from oak ageing. Intense and harmonic on the palate, it has a refreshing acidity and a persistent finish.
Vineyards
Barco Reale is a youthful version of the Carmignano from Capezzana, as the fruit is sourced from slightly younger vines in the same vineyards situated at approximately 150-200 metres above sea level, facing south, south-east and south-west. Soils here are clay schist (Galestro rock) and limestone (Alberese rock) which give Barco Reale a lovely freshness.
Vintage
The 2023 vintage in Tuscany was characterised by a very high level of rainfall which naturally affected the grapes. Careful vineyard management was needed to combat disease and mildew. Despite the fact that there was no rainfall in July and extremely high temperatures, the grapes remained healthy thanks to the water reserves accumulated in the previous months. Veraison took place at the beginning of August, and the grapes were harvested at the end of the month. Overall, yields were reduced but of excellent quality.
Vinification
Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for seven days followed by eight days of maceration, where malolactic fermentation took place. Shortened maceration time resulted in a more approachable wine, highlighting greater freshness and vibrancy of fruit. The wine was then racked and matured in Allier oak barrels before bottling, followed by a further period in bottle prior to release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This wine is deep ruby red in colour. The intense and fruity nose displays aromas of red plum and cherry with subtle hints of oak from barrel ageing. Rounded and ripe on the palate, the tannins are present yet well-integrated, and the overall structure is more vertical. The result is a modern and elegant style that emphasizes balance and drinkability.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capezzana | `Villa di Capezzana` Carmignano | CA104 | R | Factsheet | |
| `Ghiaie della Furba` | CA106 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Vin Santo di Carmignano | CA107 | Sw | Factsheet | ||
| Trebbiano | CA111 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Ugo Contini Bonacossi` | CA125 | R | Factsheet |