2012 Tenuta di Capezzana Carmignano Conti Bonacossi DOCG 750 ml

“The First True Super Tuscan”

Our sommelier buddies in Manhattan had prepped us at length on Tenuta di Capezzana’s storied Carmignano, “the first true Super Tuscan.” We knew that Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in the tiny appellation of Carmignan almost 500 years ago; that it was probably Catherine de Medici, Queen of France, who had introduced the grape to the region. Still, it took a trip to the Verona wine fair in April of 2013 to truly understand what all the buzz was about.

That day, we arrived right on time, at 10 am, for what we hoped would be a private tasting at the Capezzana stand. Unfortunately, we weren’t alone. It seemed that word of Capezzana’s staggering reds hadn’t just reached Central Park. The booth was filled with a multilingual buzz. The cat was apparently out of the bag from Tokyo to Singapore, Milan to London. Any hope we had for privacy was quickly put to rest. We sharpened our elbows and pushed our way through, muttering “scusi,” acting as if we meant it.

What was all the fuss about? Why was the tiniest Tuscan appellation drawing a crowd usually reserved for the kingpins of Brunello? Set just 16 miles west of Florence, the Carmignano microclimate is unique to Tuscany. The Apennine Mountains that run along the border of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna act as a thermal buffer, protecting Capezzana’s manicured hillsides from the elements. While the region’s days are cooler than Chianti Classico or Montalcino, nights are warmer, making Carmignano ideal for the growing of rich, broad-shouldered Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2008 Capezzana we tasted at the Verona wine fair had earned 92 points from Antonio Galloni and far exceeded its modest price tag in terms of quality — as has EVERY release since then.

Wine Spectator called the 2009 “rich,” “dense,” and “vibrant,” while the 2010 earned 93 points from James Suckling. Suckling doled out another 93 points for the 2011, calling it a “very pretty and balanced Carmignano that shows refinement and beauty.” Today’s 2012 Capezzana Villa di Capezzana caught both Galloni and Suckling’s attention, earning matching 92-point scores from each critic. Galloni called the 2012 “impeccable, beautifully crafted,” while Suckling appreciated it as “always a beauty.”

Deepest ruby to the rim. Marvelously pure and compact on the nose, infused with aromas of crushed black raspberry, black cherry, sweet spice, and smoke. Beautifully focused and finely delineated on the attack, the Sangiovese provides the rich, juicy, wild-berry core, while the broad-shouldered Cabernet Sauvignon offers up textbook Pauillac-like muscle. Terrific out of the gate if served with grilled ribeye drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with cracked black pepper — but far better, lay Capezzana’s miracle vintage down for a decade. It could use the rest.

At $19.99 with matching 92-point scores, this is easily one of the top values of the vintage. As such, 1,200 bottles won’t last long. Galloni contends that “there is no reason to delay gratification” in enjoying this 2012 Capezzana Carmignano Villa di Capezzana. We couldn’t agree more! Don’t wait to stash a case. Shipping included on 6.