In Italy, the history of Carmignano winegrowing dates back to 1716 when Cosimo III de' Medici granted the area special legal protections. In the 1500’s the queen of France sent cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux to Carmignano. This wine is made from a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from certified organic vineyards, and fifth-generation winemaker Benedetta Contini Bonacossi crafts a wine that offers subdued fruit of stewed prunes, black cherry, boysenberry, and resin. There is solid acidity and tannic structure to make this workable with a variety of foods. Typical of a lot of Italian wine this is not bright expressive jammy fruit, but something that is more mature - darker deeper and more difficult to define, but that is also the allure. This needs some decanting and aeration to bring out the inherent muted flavors. ORIGIN: Carmignano, Italy ALCOHOL: 14.5%
