2018 Tenuta di Corte Giacobbe Vigneto Runcata Soave Sup

Description

Runcata, the flagship Soave Superiore, is made only with the Garganega grape variety. It’s a single vineyard right up on the Eastern border of Soave. Runcata is in the Roncà-Monteccia di Crosara Cru, a Soave subzone comprising the two largest extinct volcanoes. It was first planted in 1934 by the founder of Tenuta Corte Giacobbe, Augusto Dal Cero. Viticulture is now biodynamic, though they are not certified.

The older vines grow on traditional pergolas, with younger vines on the french guyot system. These different systems give further options as the shaded pergola grapes retain more acidity and freshness, the while guyot brings more sugar and body. It’s a useful combination to have in these days of unpredictable extremes resulting from climate change.

A rigorous selection occurs in the winery. The best make Runcata. Those remaining are for the lesser DOC Soave cuvée. After keeping them for 48 hours in a refrigerated humidity-controlled room, they ferment in stainless steel tanks using ambient yeasts. Runcata fermentations are lengthy, as the temperatures are kept low at 11°C to preserve volatile aromatics.

Once fermentation completes, maturation is in 2,000-litre oak casks for a year. They allow some slow ingress of air without marking the wine with wood flavours or tannins, The wine matures on the lees, with occasional stirring up to add more character and complexity. Final blending happens in a pyramidal concrete tank, the same design as used at Cheval Blanc. After another two months, it’s ready for the bottling line, using DIAM 30 corks. The release is eight months later, allowing time for the wine to settle down.

Tasting: Stylish bouquet of acacia and almond blossoms, of peach, camomile, vanilla, and sulphur intrigue the nose, with a clean vein of minerality, concluding with pungent sage and rosemary. Smooth, with a fine supportive structure, while judiciously crisp fruit gives both vibrancy and length. This is a superbly-structured wine that reaches its

best only after a few years.

Body: 2/4

Acidic: 4/4

Complex: 4/4

Finish: 3/4

Sweet: 1/4

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Type of Wine: White

Bottle Size: 750 mL