Piaggia: Charming Carmignano

~ Panorama of the Piaggia Estate, Northwest of Firenze ~

The Piaggia estate was created by Mauro Vannucci in the mid 1970's and is located in the gently rolling Tuscan hills, just about 10 miles west of Florence. By law, Carmignano can be blended with Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot and was the first Italian DOCG to allow such foreign grapes into the blend - way before the first "Super Tuscans" made such blends fashionable.

Although Mauro still influences the direction of the estate,  today his daughter Silvia is the owner and a major force behind the family winery.  We caught up with her and consulting winemaker Emiliano Falsini in one of the earliest interviews done at TuscanVines.   

~ Silvia at Gambero Rosso 2014 with her Tre Bicchieri  Piaggia Riserva & Poggio dei Colli ~

Once again, Piaggia has gotten our attention with the recent release of their newest Carmignano, the 2010 "Il Sasso".  

Born from a single vineyard,  Il Sasso,  "The Stone" is predominantly Sangiovese but has up to 30% Cabernet and Merlot in the blend as permitted by the DOCG.  Aged for 24 months in French barrique and an additional year in bottle prior to release, this recent release is quite the value. 

The 2012 Piaggia Carmignano is a beautiful bright, violet red color with purple streaks throughout.  The nose of the wine is lovely and displays bright red fruits, sweet tobacco, fennel and herbs.   On the palate, the Cabernet/Merlot in the blend asserts itself more.  There's some spice from the barrique and a riper dark cherry profile that seems more pronounced than the nose would suggest.  Notes of alcohol, menthol and eucalyptus are present as well as hints of mocha laced tobacco.  Another wonderful effort, though at times some tasters mentioned the ripeness of the cherries - noting an almost candied essence.  Even still, for the complexity of this wine, the value is there.  90 points, about $20.   

Note: Half the bottle remained for the next night and sat open on the kitchen counter. On the second night, the wine blossomed more aromatically and the candied note seemed to dissipate.  Advice: Decant or cellar for a few years before trying.

~ Another wonderful effort from Piaggia in 2012, which is shaping up to be the next great Tuscan vintage ~

 Salute!