Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ca’ del Bosco “Annamaria Clementi” Franciacorta 2016, Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Prestige cuvée Franciacorta from Ca’ del Bosco, crafted using the traditional method and aged extensively on lees. The blend includes Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, the latter adding a distinctive Italian identity rarely seen in Champagne. The 2016 vintage shows exceptional balance and refinement, delivering the depth and elegance expected from one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wines.

Aromas & Flavors
White peach, baked apple, citrus zest, toasted brioche, almond pastry, and delicate floral tones. Subtle hints of honey, lemon curd, and crushed stone emerge with air, giving the wine impressive aromatic complexity.

Mouthfeel
Ultra-fine mousse with a creamy yet energetic texture. Structured and layered with vibrant acidity supporting a deep mid-palate. Long, persistent finish with elegance and precision, prestige cuvée level balance that rivals top Champagne houses.

Food Pairings
Lobster or scallop crudo. Oysters with citrus mignonette. Truffle risotto. Branzino or Dover sole. Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A striking example of Franciacorta at its highest level, refined, expressive, and unmistakably luxurious. The structure and finesse easily evoke comparisons with tête de cuvée Champagne, yet the presence of Pinot Bianco adds a subtle Italian nuance that sets it apart.

Did You Know?
Franciacorta requires longer minimum lees aging than Champagne for vintage wines (at least 30 months for vintage expressions), contributing to the creamy texture and complexity found in prestige cuvées like Annamaria Clementi.

🍷 Personal Pick
Absolutely a “whoa factor” sparkling wine, each glass reveals depth and refinement comparable to top Champagne prestige cuvées, yet with a distinctive Italian signature.
— 3 days ago

Jay Ciccarelli

9.0

Pretty floral. Mid weight to light. Decent length, well integrated tannins. — 3 months ago

Kland Aida

9.5

Brought it back from Brescia. Apple and yeast tones. Slight almond. May 2025. — 6 months ago

with Zach

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

Very good! No formal notes. I found it quite sauvignon blanc driven. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 “Cuvée Annamaria Clementi” pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is vinous, toasty, and leesy, with ripe tropical fruits, lemon curd, and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is super rich and creamy. Fabulous stuff. Drink now. Disgorged Autumn of 2015. — 3 months ago

Anthony Pro

9.5

Perfect. It’s perfect. — 5 months ago

Fabio Franchella

9.2

Moschus, leder, tabak, viel wildes aroma, leicht krautig, frucht dezent im hintergrund (himbeer/kirsche). Komplexer Grigonlino. 15%, aber wunderbar eingebunden — 2 months ago

with Zollinger

Sara Urquidez

9.5

8 years out - still pretty red with hints of brown, legs are slowing down, no sediment yet. It's rounded out and smooth but could benefit from more time in the bottle to further develop the medium to full body. First nose of forest floor, mineral and cherry. Deep cherry, oak, with earthy forest flavors and slight minerality. Long finish with low-medium acidity.

Purchased at Castiglion del Bosco winery — 3 months ago

Diana Cohen

9.2

Full bodied cherry — 4 months ago

Russ Kujan

9.0

2020 vintage. — 9 months ago