Tenuta Iuzzolini Cirò Rosso Classico 2017 (Calabria) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice red wine made with a relatively unknown grape called Gagliappo. It is an indigenous varietal to southern Italy and grown mostly in Calabria. Wines from Calabria are rare to find at the LCBO, so I am delighted to see that this will arrive in LCBO VINTAGES on February 8th.

Tenuta Iuzzolini was founded in 2004 by Fortunato Iuzzolini with his wife Giovanna Colicchio. Together, they transferred their love and passion for the land to their four sons who are also part of the Iuzzolini Estate. It is located in Cirò, a small Calabrian town with Greek roots along the Ionian coast of Crotone. With approximately 500 hectares of land on the Estate, they have planted 100 hectares to vineyards, 50 hectares to secular olive groves, 100 hectares of arable land, and the remaining part consists of pastures and woods for livestock raised in the wild.

Part of the goal of the Iuzzolini family is to recover and enhance of native Calabrian vines. In addition to planting various international varietals in their Estate vineyard, they also cultivate three varietals autochthonous to Calabria - Greco Bianco, Gaglioppo, and Magliocco. Gaglioppo is the most widely planted of the three grapes as it has been cultivated for thousands of years in the area of Cirò due to its adaptability to dryness and disease.

Tasting Note:

TENUTA IUZZOLINI CIRÒ ROSSO CLASSICO 2017 - DOC, Calabria, Italy (#13034) (D) - $17.95
100% Gagliappo from white clay soils located 50 to 100 metres above sea level. This red sees very little time in barriques and has a bouquet of bright red berry, peppery spice, rose floral, and red plum aromas with savoury touches. More red berry, spice, and plum flavours that become a bit darker on the ripe, medium-bodied palate with light, gritty tannins and fresh, juicy acidity. Wanted a bit more length on the juicy, structured finish that adds intrigue with toffee and sweet spice notes. Worthy exploration of this grape. Score: 87 pts