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. — 18 days ago

Jacob Onufrychuk

9.3

Brownish red color. Earth, strawberry, and cherry. Acidic with softer tannins. Like a Chianti with some of the idiosyncrasies smoothed out. Good, but not transcendent especially given the price. Brunellos really lend themselves to aging, so maybe 8 years old isn’t enough time to reveal what is going on. Also, I think this is my first Brunello, so I’m still getting to know the style. EDIT - later this wine started to take on a really lovely, silky quality that I really like. I think I’ve turned the corner. — 2 years 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

Ben Gunning

9.4

Pretty Nebbiolo colour of course - maybe a little darker than normal? Maybe the room is too dim! Lots going on for me on the nose. Floral, perfumy stuff, a bit of cedar, got orange peel for a sec but also softer stuff (is candle wax too creative?) I taste cherry and maybe almond liqueur…. Smooth finish with nice medium tannins - great structure. To me this is a complex and rewarding wine. — 5 years ago

Stuart Pollack

8.9

Nice sparkling wine, but still not as good as Champagne, and expensive for what it is. Not as dry as I expected for a dosage zero wine. — 5 years ago

Michael Seely

9.2

I continue to have good luck with most wines from Cortona. This Syrah is modest, gentle, and delightful! — 7 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Michelle Stephan

10

I love, love, love this! Bubbly and sweat! — 7 years ago

with Michael

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

A property Sofia and I visited in 2017.

If Italy has a technical Champagne region, it would be Franciacorta near Lake Garda in Northern Italy. This producer one of the region’s very best!

Lemon, lime profile, Bosc pear, bruised red apple, some white spice, volcanics, light yeast, limestone, caramel, yellow flowers, nice acidity and a nicely balanced, elegant finish that lasts a minute.

@RisoranteSapori Interlaken — 9 months ago

Taber

9.0

Great white wine - crispy, some floral notes. Pairs great with food. I hope I find it imported here in the states sometime. 2022 vintage brought in Manarola. — 2 years ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.1

Extra point for value. If you love earthy flavors and tannins this is for you. Quite tight on opening - took a couple of hours of slow ox to be approachable. Then - nose of forest floor and anise. Palate was of dense rhubarb/dark cherry with dried autumn leaves and a hint of pine needles and bark and a lingering but refreshing mineral finish that was surprisingly mouthwatering sweet at the very end. I’m glad I have a few more bottles to save for when I want to take another flavor journey. — 3 years ago

Frank Gresik

9.3

Great wine full of complex flavors. Maybe a bit past it’s prime. Still a wonderful wine to complement a memorable dinner. I had it with White Truffle tagliatelle. 😊 — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This pale yellow wine has a fragrant nose with some grassy, herbal notes, although not as grassy as the Tiare. There is a nice floral element and some tropical fruit, too. The palate shows a great Sauvignon Blanc flavor profile - citrus, minerals, herbs - and an acidity which is pleasant enough without getting too crazy. I sometimes find Sauvignon to be a little much on the palate for my taste, but that is not the case with the Turriano. It is a very nice sip and wonderful match for rice or pasta dishes, especially those with an herbal flair to them. BTW, this wine is Friuli DOC. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Since it is Friday Pizza Night, I thought we would relive our visit (5/15) & retry Ca’ del Bosco. I needed to see if it held up to our memory of tasting there. As well as, our visit there was prior to my heavy fixation on Champagne. And, it still does not disappoint.

The nose reveals; lemon extract, lime zest, ripe pineapple, white peach, touch of apricots and ripe tropical melons, slivered almonds, caramel notes, vanilla, honey notes, candle wax, delicate, grey, volcanic minerals, soft, chalkiness with yellow lilies set in a field of spring flowers.

The mouthfeel is heavy, rich, crisp and waxy. Softer, more delicate micro bubbles. Waxy/oily & a touch sour lemons, lime zest, ripe pineapple, white peach, touch of apricots and ripe tropical melons, slivered almonds, caramel notes, vanilla, honey notes, candle wax, delicate, very light white spice, grey, volcanic minerals, soft, chalkiness with yellow lilies & fruit blossoms set in a field of spring flowers. The acidity is round, phat and lively. The rich, lush, well balanced finish is delicious and persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Ca’ de Bosco entrance, their red velvet tasting salon, caves, and the bridge over their man made lake you walk from the parking lot to get to the property.

This was not available locally & had to ship it from the East coast to relive our memories.

While this states it is in Lombardy, the region is called Franciacorta. It is Italy’s Sparkling Wine region or its Champagne equivalent. There are two beautiful lakes near by, Iseo (which is where we stayed) as it’s closer to Franciacorta and less touristy than the more visited Lake Garda. Lake Garda is huge and extremely crowded during high season. — 6 years ago

Bob Yoon

9.4

Remember the scene in Downton Abbey when Lady Mary Crawley has to jump in and save her pigs? That’s this wine. Bold, feisty, rich and strong. Won’t hesitate to get down and dirty when working. Will still have enough energy to cook you an omelette afterwards. I have no fucking clue if I’m making any sense… — 2 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

When you say chardonnay in Italy is tricky
But when we think what they grow in Franciacorta for their sparkling it is all about quality
And the side "surprise" is how their non sparkling Chardonnay show
Marvellous mineral
Great balance
Amazing zingy and persi aftertaste
Bellavista isn't just anyone
They definitely know what they're doing
IMO one of the best Italian Chardonnay at the moment
I had memory of the ca del bosco one being great but this one sits just on his side.
The bonus was having it at sunset on a hill over Byron Bay, Bangalow to be precise.
One of those wine that gets stuck with the memory. — 2 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

N: Smells like an old, broken In leather couch, plenty of dirt, frutti di bosco.
P. Nice acidity and tarry goodness, tobacco, some plum.
I believe these guys are next to Uccelaria*(sp)
Not bad for a bargain bottle. Many years ahead as well.
— 4 years ago

Michael Miller

8.9

2015 is a Really solid Rosso and a good value. A bigger red than I usually enjoy but it has an elegance about it. — 5 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

A grape from Piemonte I didn’t know, apparantly lost but coming up again due to the younger generation winemakers. I’m in! Transparant in colour, gamay like taste and very light on it’s feet. But it’s a silent killer with it’s 14,5%. Very pleasant surprise! — 5 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.8

Must preface this post with the admission that a wine like this can never fully live up to its hype; regardless, it was a sensational bottle: powerful and muscular with precision and grace; dried orange peel, sandalwood, cedar, red brick and just a hint of sour cherry fruit. We didn’t decant or open early for fear of losing those delicate, appetizing, evocative aromatics (sotto bosco, white truffle, roasting game, roses, sandalwood again) unique to old Barolos. This wine is wonderful today, but don’t anticipate it getting any better—then again I don’t foresee a wine built like this falling apart any time soon. A wine for kings (and birthday week princesses) indeed! — 6 years ago

with Maura

LM Segal

9.2

Engaging and powerful, sleek, but I just couldn’t get over the C$100 price... — 7 years ago