Emma Zuccardi Bonarda

The 2016 Emma Zuccardi Bonarda was produced with a mixture of grapes from San Pablo (41%) and Altamira (59%) cropped from a low-yielding year (the lowest on record) that delivered wines with moderate alcohol and very good freshness. It fermented in concrete vats, including malolactic, and the aging was in concrete too. It has a spectacular nose of herbs, some spices and something earthy, austere and with moderate ripeness. If the nose is spectacular, the palate is not far off, with incredibly refined tannins for the variety and great liveliness and freshness. I don't think I've ever tried a better Bonarda than this. 12,000 bottles were filled in February 2017.

Very dark. Lifted and intense ripe wild dark-red fruit. Soft tannins but great freshness and real elegance. Totally fluid in the mouth. Peppery and so alive and jumping up and down with life. But the fruit is dark and refined, it just can’t help being playful. Lovely dark/rocky fruit but silky texture. Elegant yet also playful, with plenty of fruit.