Ca Bolani Alturio Refosco 2016

Ca' Bolani Alturio Refosco 2016 is a powerful, elegant expression of Friuli’s great native red grape, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. Sourced from select parcels within the Ca' Bolani estate near Aquileia, it combines depth, spice and freshness in a distinctly northern Italian style. This cuvée stands out as one of the estate’s flagship reds, crafted to show how refined and ageworthy Refosco can be.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Alturio Refosco shows a deep ruby colour with garnet highlights developing at the rim, signalling both concentration and early evolution. The nose opens with dark berry notes of blackberry and black cherry, followed by plum, violet, wild herbs and a savoury streak of leather and underbrush. With air, more complex layers of cocoa, sweet spice, liquorice and a gentle balsamic note emerge. On the palate, this is full-bodied and structured yet finely balanced by vibrant acidity – a hallmark of Refosco from this cool, Adriatic-influenced zone. Ripe black fruits and sour cherry are wrapped in firm but polished tannins, with hints of pepper, tobacco and dark chocolate on the long, persistent finish. The 2016 vintage is entering a beautiful drinking window now, but it has the backbone to continue developing tertiary complexity for another 8–10 years if well cellared.

Production
Ca' Bolani’s vineyards lie on the flat, breezy plain of Aquileia, where alluvial soils rich in sand, gravel and light clays rest between the Adriatic Sea and the natural barrier of the Alps. This terroir, combined with significant diurnal temperature swings and constant sea breezes, lends both ripeness and aromatic precision to Refosco. Grapes for Alturio are typically hand-harvested at optimal phenolic ripeness, then carefully sorted. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks with extended maceration on the skins to extract colour, tannin and aromatic complexity. The wine is then matured in a combination of oak barriques and larger wooden casks for an extended period, followed by further bottle aging, to polish the tannins and integrate the oak without overwhelming the grape’s natural character.

Food & Serving
Alturio Refosco 2016 pairs beautifully with rich, savoury dishes such as roasted or grilled red meats, game (venison, wild boar), slow-braised beef, and hearty stews. It also works wonderfully with aged cheeses, mushroom-based dishes and rustic pasta or polenta with meat ragù. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for 1–2 hours before serving helps the wine open up, softening the tannins and allowing the complex aromatics to fully express themselves.

Producer
Ca' Bolani is one of Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s most significant estates, located near the ancient Roman city of Aquileia, where viticulture has thrived since antiquity. Framed by the Alps to the north and the Adriatic to the south, the property is famous for its avenue of 999 cypresses and a vast, contiguous vineyard area that functions as a true wine garden. Now part of a respected Italian wine group, Ca' Bolani has become a reference point for both native and international varieties in the region, with a particular focus on showcasing Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso at a high level. Their wines frequently earn strong critical praise and awards, helping to elevate Friuli’s reputation for distinctive, high-quality reds as well as whites.

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