Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is a remembrance of Sofia & my trip to Franciacorta & visit to Ca’ del Bosco in 2015.

If Italy has a kind of equivalent to Champagne, it would be Franciacorta. This is not Prosecco. It is made in the traditional method.

It is a beautiful part of Italy with both Lake Garda’s, one smaller (closer) & one much bigger and is a summer haven.

Excuse the fussy pics. I bought a new iPhone 7 just before we left & it had a defective camera.

The nose shows fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, white peach, tropical melons, vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens.

The palate has nice, soft, mousse. Ripe fruits; fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, lemon, lime, white peach, tropical melons & mango. Vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, sea spray, saline, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens, beautiful, acidity, well balanced, nicely structured & toned with an elegant finish that last a full minute and lands on volcanics. — 17 days ago

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.
— 4 months ago

Diana Cohen

9.2

Full bodied cherry — 8 months ago

Joe Flo

9.6

Wine Spectator #1 wine dinner. With a good decanting this was a great wine. 🍷 — 9 months ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.0

Crisp bright. Perfect pizza and Cacio Pepe wine. — 2 years ago

Barbara MacKenzie-Murray

9.5

Loved the taste — 5 years ago

Martijn

9.2

Paired it with an entrecote from our local butcher. Well made wine, black currant all over. — 24 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 1987 | a treat! Figs, dates, walnuts, nectar — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2020 | candy smell, vanilla and citrus, good balance, very charming. Nice butter in taste. Light coconut. Very complete. — 4 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. — 6 months ago

Mark Mannebach

8.9

Dark chocolate molasses and some plum notes. Smooth. — 9 months ago

Stephen Countryman

9.3

Excellent. Seemed common on the nose at first, but the first sip blew me away. Complex flavors over a long finish. Fun but sophisticated. We get black berries, chocolate and a hint of tobacco. Hopefully I can find another 2008 one day. — 4 years ago

Marc Longenecker

9.4

Prune flavors, but dry and round. Spicy/woody on the finish. Unassuming but complexly flavored. Deserves its own attention — don’t smother with food — 6 years ago

Joe Fischer

9.5

Excellent! Ruby colored with lots of notes…cherry, forest, plum, floral, raspberry. Very smooth with a long finish. Nice spice note with cherry, cranberry, stewed fruits, and cedar. — a month ago

ARNS

9.3

Love it … so amazing — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.6

Vintage 2003 | My gosh, I love this. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.2

WEST3 London. Outstanding wine. — 7 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Dark and oily. Fig and molasses. Earthy flavors with treacle. Coffee and wine. So complex and savory. Gorgeous — 9 months ago

with Matt and David

setver

9.4

Bomba vino, lagano i pitko — a year ago

Mark Eastom

8.9

1/2 bottle. Apple and pear with citrus fruit and nice acid. — 5 years ago