2024 Prá, Soave Classico DOC “Otto” Veneto, Italy.
I was able to taste through the latest Prá Soaves recently with importer Oliver McCrum at the Slow Wine tour stop in San Francisco and they were absolutely delicious and this Otto 2024 is wonderfully fresh and pure, even better than I remembered it being! The all tank raised Garganega Soave is lightly floral, steely and crispy with a mix of citrus, green apple and tangy unripe apricot fruits leading the way on the lighter framed medium bodied palate, along with a hint of lees, spiced wet flint, fresh cut herbs and almond oil notes. The acidity is zesty and mouth watering, begging you to take another sip and makes this a clean example of place and varietal.The pale gold and mineral toned Prá Otto Soave Classico DOC is made from Garganega, it is a white grape variety believed to be native to northern Italy and chiefly cultivated here in the hills around the ancient town of Soave, just east of Verona, with its mix of basalt, chalk and clay based soils and near Lake Garda.
Prá is a historic, benchmark producer of Soave, as mentioned in my prior reviews, which along with Pieropan, Inama and Gini, and (is) an often under-the-radar, as well as a solid producer of Valpolicella and famous also for its Amarone, with vineyards that are all certified organic. Winemaker and grower, Graziano Prà uses organic grapes grown on volcanic soils with basalt and chalk for his Otto Soave that are entirely made of Garganega, the native varietal found here. The Otto, named after Graziano’s dog, sees stainless steel tank fermentation and aging, with no oak being used, getting six months in tank to mature and it reveals absolute purity of form and has a transparent personality and charm, it is an excellent sipper and food wine. I had a hard choice deciding between the Prá wines to review here, all of them deserve great attention and all were beautifully crafted, but I tend to gravitate to the Otto Soave, with a ladybug on the label, because of it’s value and ease of use, it is a great way to start exploring this winery and the region and I highly recommend it.
($26 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive