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
Bolgheri, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy
