Pieropan, Soave Classico Calvarino, Soave, Veneto, Italy 2020

Description

The 50th anniversary vintage. The first single vineyard white wine of Italy. Tuffeau and basalt. Calvarino is fermented in cement rather than the tank, as is used for the Classico. A broader sash of orchard fruits, verging toward toffee apple, mingle with ginger, orange blossom, rosemary, sage, almond and jasmine. 20-30% Trebbiano di Soave due to its affinity with volcanic soils. Saline and sappy, whilst also resinous and intense. 

93 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Apr 2022)

So spicy, yet also rich, the 2020 Soave Classico Calvarino impresses with an alluring mix of ground ginger, lime zest, minty-basil and wet stone. It envelopes the palate in silky textures while also bombarding it with salty mineral tones and a sour twang of green apple. While supremely elegant, the 2020 is also full of nervous energy, as it finishes long with tropical floral nuances and a bitter tug of lemon rinds. Readers can certainly enjoy the Calvarino today, yet it needs some time to come fully into focus.