2016 Casanova della Spinetta, Il Rose di Casanova, Tuscany, Italy.
One of my most favorite summer wines, Giorgio Rivetti’s La Spinetta Rose from Tuscany, the Casanova della Spinetta Il Rose di Casanova is a crisp blend of Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile (Brunello & Vino Nobile clone) comes from a high elevation vineyard site with cool nights, but warm southern exposure, it makes this dry pink wine a serious offering that rivals Bandol and Provence in style and quality. Delicate in color with a light palish pink/orange hue, but vigorous and vibrant in detail with lovely flavors of tart cherry, plum water, watermelon, red and pink citrus as well as steely mineralite and faint lavender spiciness. This Il Rose di Casanova is a class act, it follows a more French form with it’s lighter/drier brisk character than the more full bodied Rosato that are more common in Italy, where they tend to go for riper flavors and dark colors in their pinks, this Rose is wonderfully refreshing and a gorgeous package overall. Though a great food companion, La Spinetta’s lovely pink is just as thrilling and easy to love on it’s own, perfect for the hot days of summer and fall, especially this 2016 release, which seems a nearly perfect vintage for Rose. Rivetti continues to really impress with his estate in Tuscany, and while his La Spinetta Barbaresco and Barolo are his jewels, don’t miss out on these Casanova della Spinetta wines, in particular this Il Rose di Casanova, and the Il Nero di Casanova 100% Sangiovese Toscana Rosso IGT. This Rose sells out fast and is very limited, so best be fast off the mark and get as many bottles as you can, it joins a select group of international pinks to celebrate summer with!
($18 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive