Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980 Franciacorta DOCG Riserva Ca' del Bosco 75cl

40% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Bianco

Contains sulfites

After years of tasting this Riserva, Maurizio and he feel that the time has come to unveil its originality - a project that began 43 years ago with the harvest. A Franciacorta that today has reached its evolutionary peak and best expresses our know-how then and now, the best expression of a Franciacorta Riserva in the Ca' del Bosco style. A truly "original" wine that is not only the result of the vines, but above all of time. This sublime Franciacorta, 42 years later, shows all its complexity: a deep straw yellow with golden reflections and an intense, explosive nose. The initial impressions surprise with notes of undergrowth, musk and fern, signs of long ageing on the lees with natural cork. Characteristic notes of candied citrus fruits and quince jam meld with roasted hazelnuts and caramel. A fragrant Franciacorta that develops iodine, beeswax and cedar wood nuances with air. On the palate, it shows astonishing solidity and intensity, an almost "fleshy" creaminess with a powerful aromatic finish.

On average 42 years, of which 7 years with horizontal bottles and 34 years with bottles stacked "sur pointe". Disgorged on request. In 1980, spring began cool and slightly rainy, which initially allowed the vines to sprout in dry weather. From May onwards, the weather changed dramatically with persistent rain into July, with over 200 mm of precipitation falling in May and June. These conditions severely affected the vines, resulting in a loss of grape load. Particularly during the flowering period, the cool, rainy weather caused the loss of some flower buds and limited fruit set, which was reflected in reduced grape quality. From the second week of July, however, high temperatures of around 30° C set in and there was no further rain until September. This late summer weather had a positive effect on the quality of the grapes. The harvest began in the first week of September, with the Pinot grapes in particular being harvested perfectly healthy and ripe on September 11 and 12. André Dubois, then cellar master at Ca' del Bosco, decided at Maurizio Zanella's request to press the best bunches of grapes of the year using traditional methods. This included manual pressing with an old Marmonier wooden press, followed by fermentation and storage until the following spring in 205-liter oak barrels, an innovation at the time. From his notes: "Magnificent harvest, low yields. Excellent vintage. A wine for long ageing." Stefano Capelli, chosen by Dubois in 1986 to succeed him in 1990, remarked: Dubois taught him that complexity, richness and olfactory harmony can only be achieved with time. His most important lesson was to know the value of time and to forget haste. Wines must be forgotten in the cellar and then collected, studied, analyzed, tasted and measured over a period of years. Only with time could one judge their ageing potential and their development to the full development of their originality and uniqueness.

CA' DEL BOSCO
In 1965 Annamaria Clementi Zanella moved with her son Maurizio to the impressive hilly landscape of Franciacorta. After graduating from high school, the young Maurizio deepened his oenological knowledge at the universities of Beaune and Bordeaux. On his return, he modernised and expanded the family estate and from then on produced wines and sparkling wines of world class and prestige. Gambero Rosso, the leading Italian wine publication, has awarded Cà del Bosco the title 'Winery of the Year 2003'. Furthermore, Maurizio Zanella has been awarded 'tre bicchieri' countless times for his sparkling and still wines.

http://www.cadelbosco.com