2021 Camarcanda

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 18 months in 225-litre barriques. Straightforward Cabernet nose without much ornamentation. Neat and fresh and still very youthful. The fruit, the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit. I’d keep this quite a while to see whether it will develop tertiary aromas. At the moment it’s quite inky. Clean and pure but less fun and more youthful than some of its peers. (JR)

The Ca' Marcanda 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in a supporting role. This a bold and beautifully concentrated wine with a brilliant character that is best described as Rubenesque. It shows supple texture and deep richness supported by sweet fruit and raspberry tart. The ripe, well-managed tannins cede to tingling freshness that adds energy and life.

Bottled in July of 2022, the 2021 Ca' Marcanda has a dark saturated ruby hue and seamless aromatics of graphite, black cherry liqueur, cocoa powder, and forest herbs. Full-bodied on the palate, with great structure, focus and length, and wonderful richness, it’s incredibly even in its balance and has a very long finish. It’s going to need a few years to improve and show its best, but this is a remarkable wine from this stunning vintage. Drink 2026-2046. When the Gaja family purchased their Bolgheri property in 1996, it was home to 10 hectares of vines planted to Sangiovese and Trebbiano. The rest of the land was dedicated to olive trees, peach trees, and cereal grains. Angelo Gaja was drawn to the region by several factors, including its small size, which he always looked for when seeking out denominations outside of their Piedmont home. The Bolgheri DOC had recently been established in 1994 with only 1300 hectares in total. A very different region from Piedmont, Bolgheri has historically been land owned by noble people, whereas Piedmont was a region of farmers. Thus, the Tuscans were more connected to international travel, and you find people with international names and sensibilities. Other differences include the incredibly varied soils, with 27 different types identified due to the erosion from the Colline Metalifere. Additionally, constant winds come through the region that help both with ventilation and temperature control of the vines. My tasting occurred at the Bolgheri winery in November of 2023. Readers will find many of the wines tasted here are parcel selections of that will not be produced on their own but rather will contribute to other cuvées. This is something I have come to appreciate and expect when visiting the Gaja estates across Italy, and it’s a fascinating way to gather data points into their operations and thought process. Whether it's in the vineyard or in the winery, the family and the team at Ca' Marcanda are consistently evolving to raise the bar with a measured and steady hand.