Gaja
Ca' Marcanda Camarcanda Bolgheri Red Bordeaux Blend
Bolgheri, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy
First of a case and despite the fact that this is so very young, curiosity was getting the best of us tonight! A two hour decant did little to coax this bottle into showing more than its huge potential. The experience, however, was not without pleasure. The nose is a light perfume of dark fruits, purple flowers with the softest addition of sweet baking spices; like the scent of a young woman riding past on her bicycle, as she makes her way to a gathering of mates on an autumn afternoon. I’ve read that the style for “Ca’Marcanda” has changed in recent years, favoring a greater percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Cabernet Franc (dropping Merlot altogether). Admittedly, I don’t have any experience to draw from in terms of how this compares to pre-2015 versions but I do like what I’m experiencing here. The palate delivers currants, black cherries, dried herbs, minerals, and that bit of dusty earth that I tend to find so charming in these Italian Bordeaux blends. Definitely a sense of place. The finish is long and bone dry. Yes, everything is tight and compact at this stage of its evolution but greater things will comes with time. There is deft balance and stout structure that will give this an opportunity for decades of enjoyment. Like all Italian wines, a meal gives an even greater appreciation for this beauty. That being said, I suspect these will be prime drinking by 2028-2030.
First of a case and despite the fact that this is so very young, curiosity was getting the best of us tonight! A two hour decant did little to coax this bottle into showing more than its huge potential. The experience, however, was not without pleasure. The nose is a light perfume of dark fruits, purple flowers with the softest addition of sweet baking spices; like the scent of a young woman riding past on her bicycle, as she makes her way to a gathering of mates on an autumn afternoon. I’ve read that the style for “Ca’Marcanda” has changed in recent years, favoring a greater percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Cabernet Franc (dropping Merlot altogether). Admittedly, I don’t have any experience to draw from in terms of how this compares to pre-2015 versions but I do like what I’m experiencing here. The palate delivers currants, black cherries, dried herbs, minerals, and that bit of dusty earth that I tend to find so charming in these Italian Bordeaux blends. Definitely a sense of place. The finish is long and bone dry. Yes, everything is tight and compact at this stage of its evolution but greater things will comes with time. There is deft balance and stout structure that will give this an opportunity for decades of enjoyment. Like all Italian wines, a meal gives an even greater appreciation for this beauty. That being said, I suspect these will be prime drinking by 2028-2030.
Nov 17th, 2020
The 2016 Camarcanda is pretty, open-knit and gracious in its bouquet, although there is a good bit of Cabernet tannin underpinning the dark fruit. Hints of chocolate, mint, sage, tobacco, licorice and blackberry develop in the glass. The 2016 needs a few years to soften, but it is undeniably attractive and inviting. It's hard to say if it is the vintage, or if the style here has moved towards a bit more freshness as it has at Gaja in Piedmont, but the 2016 Camarcanda does seem to have an extra kick of vibrancy over some previous editions. I can't wait to taste it with some bottle age. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
The 2016 Camarcanda is pretty, open-knit and gracious in its bouquet, although there is a good bit of Cabernet tannin underpinning the dark fruit. Hints of chocolate, mint, sage, tobacco, licorice and blackberry develop in the glass. The 2016 needs a few years to soften, but it is undeniably attractive and inviting. It's hard to say if it is the vintage, or if the style here has moved towards a bit more freshness as it has at Gaja in Piedmont, but the 2016 Camarcanda does seem to have an extra kick of vibrancy over some previous editions. I can't wait to taste it with some bottle age. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
Well rounded, nice minerality, tannins finish with a smooth fruit, pairs well with sweat and sour
Well rounded, nice minerality, tannins finish with a smooth fruit, pairs well with sweat and sour
Jun 19th, 2020
Superb. Looking forward to seeing what it is like in a few years.
Superb. Looking forward to seeing what it is like in a few years.
Nov 15th, 2019
Stef: Be *reasonable* tonight, please.
Me: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Stef: Be *reasonable* tonight, please.
Me: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
