Podere Il Carnasciale Il Caberlot Sommelleria 2022

Podere Il Carnasciale Il Caberlot Sommelleria 2021 is a rare chance to experience one of Tuscany’s most whispered‑about cult wines in a slightly more approachable, early‑drinking style. Made from the elusive Caberlot grape – a natural crossing of Cabernet Franc and Merlot – this cuvée channels the character of the iconic “Il Caberlot” into a wine crafted with sommeliers and wine bars firmly in mind. It is a Tuscan red that blends finesse, depth and drinkability, from one of Italy’s smallest and most revered estates.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Il Caberlot Sommelleria 2021 shows a deep, vibrant ruby core with youthful purple reflections at the rim, signalling both concentration and freshness. The nose opens with an elegant mix of dark cherries and wild berries, followed by notes of violets, fresh herbs, graphite and a subtle leafy spice that hints at its Cabernet Franc heritage. With a bit of air, more complex aromatics emerge: cedar, pencil shavings, and a touch of cocoa and sweet baking spice from careful élevage. On the palate, the wine is medium to full‑bodied yet wonderfully poised, with a linear, refined structure. Juicy black cherry, blackberry and plum are framed by lively acidity and beautifully polished tannins, giving it both immediate charm and serious backbone. There’s a savoury undercurrent – tobacco, crushed rock, a hint of green peppercorn – that adds complexity and length. The finish is long, precise and sapid, leaving a mouth‑watering impression that invites another sip. While crafted to be accessible earlier than the flagship Il Caberlot, the 2021 Sommelleria has the structure to evolve gracefully for 8–12 years, gaining further aromatic nuance and textural silkiness.

Production
Podere Il Carnasciale sits in the hills of Tuscany’s Valdarno area, on poor, stony soils rich in galestro and limestone that naturally limit yields and add mineral tension to the wines. The vineyards are farmed with meticulous, quality‑first viticulture, with low yields and largely manual work throughout the growing season to ensure perfect grape selection. Harvest is carried out by hand in small crates, parcel by parcel, at optimal ripeness for Caberlot’s balance of ripeness and aromatic freshness. In the cellar, the fruit is gently destemmed and fermented in small tanks or vats, with careful temperature control and gentle extraction to preserve the grape’s refined tannin profile. Ageing typically takes place in French oak barrels (often a mix of used and a proportion of new wood) to add texture and complexity without overpowering the purity of fruit and the signature Caberlot character, before a final blending and a period of bottle rest prior to release.

Food & Serving
Il Caberlot Sommelleria 2021 is a versatile yet gastronomic Tuscan red that shines with refined dishes rather than heavy sauces. It pairs beautifully with grilled or roast lamb, bistecca alla fiorentina, veal chops, game birds, Tuscan pork sausages, and savoury beef stews. It also works wonderfully with mushroom risotto, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino Toscano, and hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Comté. Serve at 16–18°C to highlight its aromatic complexity and fresh structure. A short decant of 45–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to let the wine unfurl its floral and spicy notes; as it gains a few years in bottle, a gentle splash‑decant right before serving will be sufficient.

Producer
Podere Il Carnasciale is one of Tuscany’s true cult estates, known almost exclusively for one wine and one grape: Il Caberlot and the eponymous, ultra‑rare Caberlot variety. Founded and developed by Wolf and Bettina Rogosky, the tiny property sits in the hills of Valdarno, outside the classic appellations but firmly inside the circle of Italy’s most sought‑after wines. The flagship Il Caberlot, long bottled only in magnum and released in tiny quantities, has achieved near‑mythical status among collectors and sommeliers worldwide for its combination of Tuscan soul and Bordelais finesse. Over time, Podere Il Carnasciale has become a benchmark for precision, low‑yield viticulture and micro‑scale, artisanal winemaking in the region, with the Sommelleria bottling offering a more accessible gateway into one of Italy’s most intriguing and confidential red wines.

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