2008 Le Piane

For the 2010 vintage he will change to Vino da Tavola. Old Croatina vineyard with about 15% other varieties. 4,000 bottles only. Very deeply coloured. Garrigue comes first, then small wild red fruit but also darker more Syrah-like aromas. In fact it is mainly dark fruit. Dark cherries but also has a savoury character. Half of the wine from the steep old vineyard. Mineral dark nose. Dry and dusty fine tannins, northern-Rhône Syrah style, though they provide quite a carpet across the mouth. Forest fruits. As they age they turn to St-Joseph style, becoming more leathery. Great freshness both from the acidity and the tannins. ‘This is a contribution to the rehabilitation of Croatina', said Swiss owner and winemaker Christoph Künzli. (JH)