We had the pleasure of visiting the Cupano winery in April as part of a Tuscan prelude to the VinItaly trade show. What really stuck with us on this trip was people’s response when they found out we had started to work with Cupano. Wow. To say that Cupano is respected amongst their peers in Tuscany would be to sell them short. Situated at the end of a long gravel track in an unassuming winery clad with thick concrete slabs and iron beams, Andrea Polidoro is crafting exceptional wines to rival the best of Brunello di Montalcino. Seated at the rickety break table in the middle of the winery floor, we had the opportunity to taste through the current release with Emanuele Graetz, who assists Andrea with export sales to North America. The 2019 vintage is already receiving rave reviews and will be arriving in the fall but don’t miss your change to try the cool and classic 2018 before we sell out!
2018 Brunello di Montalcino
The grapes are harvested by hand before undergoing spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Frequent délestage and pumpovers aid extraction prior to 3 years maturation in oak, 25% new. Bottled unfiltered. Certified organic.
‘Beguiling, perfumed red-fruit and oak nose with a white-pepper note. Plenty of concentration. Lots of juice and perfumed raspberry and cherry with fine gravelly supporting tannins all the way through but never overpowering the fruit. Should be allowed more age but is already irresistible. Simply gorgeous. So juicy, gripping and fresh. A must buy.‘ Score – 17.5/20pts, Walter Speller for jancisrobinson.com
‘The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles with a bright mix of confectionary cherry, candied citrus and exotic spice forming its sweetly seductive bouquet. This smoothes over the palate with total elegance, velvety yet refined, with masses of ripe black cherry complemented by sweet herbs and hints of dark chocolate. It finishes with a coating of silky-fine tannins that lingers, more of an accent than an obstacle, as the 2018 tapers off with nuances of spiced orange and clove. Cupano has produced an incredibly beautiful interpretation of the vintage, which does show a bit of its new-oak influence, but with style.’ Score – 94pts, Eric Guido for Vinous
Retail $199.95/btl (6 btl/cs) – only 6 cases left!
2019 Rosso di Montalcino
100% Sangiovese. The grapes are harvested by hand before undergoing spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Frequent délestage and pumpovers aid extraction prior to 18 months maturation in French oak barriques. Sweetly spiced and floral, with plumb strawberry complemented by hints of cinnamon and clove. It’s silky and vibrant, ushering in juicy ripe cherries and raspberries over a core of zesty acids. Concentrated primary fruit, yet balance is maintained throughout. Hints of licorice linger over a bed of gentle tannin. Bottled unfiltered. Certified organic.
Retail $89.95/btl (6 btl/cs) – 9 cases available
2019 Ombrone Sant’Antimo Rosso
Decidedly different in style to the Sangiovese, this is a modern take on the Super Tuscan. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that has hints of black cherries and cassis, leading to chocolate and toasted spice, with the inevitable vegetable and herbaceous nuances. Opulent and dense with vibrant tannins and a warm, lingering finish. Bottled unfiltered. Certified organic.
Retail $89.95/btl (6 btl/cs) – 8 cases available
