2014 La Spinetta, Il Rose di Casanova Della Spinetta, Toscana IGT Rosato, Italy.
The Rhino Rose, as I call it sometimes from La Spinetta’s Tuscan estate Casanova Della Spinetta is made from 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile (the best clone of Sangiovese famous in Brunello and Montepulciano as in Vino Nobile) done in a dry and vital style, much less fruity than most Tuscan Rosatos with vibrant energy and refreshing character. Every year this wine seems to get better, more interesting and focused, maybe that is down to Giorgio Rivetti’s perfectionist nature or his dedication to natural and holistic farming in recent years, or both! The 2014 Il Rose di Casanova is bright, tangy and pleasing, starting with the pale hue, a golden/orange and pinkish glint comes from the glass, similar to the fine Corsican Roses, which are some made of that island Sangiovese, and the palate is fresh with zesty flavors and crisp acidity with sour cherry, strawberry essence, peach flesh, watermelon, rose oil, blonde tobacco/herbs, mixed citrus and hints of wet stones and savory mineral spice. It takes a bit of time to open up and unfold, but there is lots to enjoy and it has a wonderful sense of delicacy and subtlety with graceful steeliness and overall balance, this is a Rose that can be joyous with or without food, a good cool sipper and still deep enough to handle a range of cuisines, it should fill out some over the next 6 months to a year, but no need to wait. There is a lot of great Rose out there this year, and it will make for some tough choices, but you should get a few of these La Spinetta’s, it is seriously fun and delicious, drink over the next year.
($19 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive