Capannelle Wine Tasting at Wine Watch

“I would pour you a glass of wine, but wouldn’t it be more romantic if you sipped it out of my armpit?” ― Jarod Kintz, A Story That Talks about Talking Is Like Chatter to Chattering Teeth, and Every Set of Dentures Can Attest to the Fact That No.

Ok- even I think that is a bit weird!  Sipping wine out of an armpit?? Can you imagine trying to smell wine from an armpit??

This week is over already!  That's what happens when you have a holiday weekend, the next week is on fast forward.

We have a great event that just popped on to the calendar for next week with one of the hottest wineries in Tuscany- Capannelle from Gaioli in Chianti.  The Sangiovese varietal is king in Tuscany and some of my favorite Chianti Classicos are made from 100% Sangiovese like Fontodi, Felsina and this Capannelle wine.

They also make a very good Chardonnay from their vineyards in Tuscany, this is in an odd shaped and colored bottle for this varietal but that does not affect the quality of the wine, just consumer recognition that this is in fact the Chardonnay varietal but the wine is in the bottle like the rest of the wines from this excellent winery.

Then, there is the Supertuscan or IGT wine that they produce from a combination of Sangiovese and one of the other local varietals Malvasia Nera.  This Solare wine is unique and considered to be among one of the top blends of its type made in Tuscany.

Join us as we experience several vintages of each of these wines produced at Capannelle winery along with the winery director Manuele Verdelli.  This is a sit down tasting and is limited to only 14 tasters.  Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this tasting is $55 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Also check out the other wines and other size bottles that are available from the Capannelle winery after the winery info.  And don’t forget about the What I Drank Yesterday portion of the e-mail, we have some GREAT wines from Henry’s Drive in this section today along with some other exciting stuff.

Capannelle Wine Tasting at Wine Watchwith special Guest - Manuele Verdelli (winery director)Thursday, September 12th7pm

Tasting Wines:

2008 Capannelle Chardonnay Toscana IGT Price: $52.00    Your Price: $44.20 Quantity in Stock: 8

Wine Watch Notes:  This is A bit of dried earth and anise spice ot the pineapple and pear like furit on the nose.  Tangy fruit on the palate clean with a touch of that earth and anise spice from the nose nicely balanced.  Finish 35+                Very Good

2010 Capannelle Chardonnay Toscana IGT (Magnums and 375mls available) Price: $52.75   Your Price: $46.42

Nose : Intense, reminiscent of a range of aromas going from flint and mineral notes to fruity nuances of pears and citrus fruit, evolving into almonds and toasted bread.

Winery Description:  Dry, with pleasing freshness and at the same time, buttery texture and round tannins that mesh with the polyalcohols, endowing the wine with a beautifully mellow appeal. Intensity and persistence enhance the wines balance, promising excellent longevity.  The finish is nice and clean, showing toasted notes, vanilla, pear and a slight, bitterish touch of licorice.  Harmony and finesse are evident: a wine that speaks of this terroir with all its aromas, mineral notes and unique charm.

2007 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico Price: $44.75    Your Price: $38.04 Quantity in Stock: 8

(91 Points) Juicy red cherries, flowers, spices, leather and new oak are some of the notes that emerge from Capannelle's flashy 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva. Soft and luxurious on the palate, the Riserva impresses for its superb balance and long, harmonious finish. The open, seductive personality of the vintage is on full display. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. This is a fabulous set of new releases from Capannelle. Wine Advocate #191, Oct 2010

Wine Watch Review:  This Chianti Classico Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese from Gaioli in Chianti.  A good amount of wild strawberry fruit on the nose with notes of button mushrooms, fresh herbs and fresh plowed earth, very typical Tuscan bouquet.  Nice fresh red berry fruit on the tongue, silk smooth tannins with a zesty spicy finish, notes of mineral and herbs all the way to the end, has nice structure, is showing nicely but could last another decade or more.  Finish 40+                 Excellent

2010 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico (Magnums and 375mls available) Price: $47.25   Your Price: $41.58

Winery Description: 100% Sangiovese A full intensive and bright ruby red.  Perfumes unfold reminding us of mature fruit with light hints of iris flower. One can appreciate the balance between acidity and the level of alcohol which gives a fresh, soft and round taste. It leaves a pleasant long lasting taste.

2000 Capannelle Solare Toscana IGT Price: $52.75   Your Price: $46.42

(89 Points) Complex aromas of licorice, meat, cedar and ripe fruit. Full-bodied, decadent and rich. Lots going on. Drink now. 1,830 cases made. –JS  Wine Spectator, Issue: Web Only - 2006

2001 Capannelle Solare Toscana IGT Price: $52.00    Your Price: $44.20 Quantity in Stock: 9

(90 points) This is still tight and chewy, with berry, vanilla and cedar character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied. A bit old style. Needs time to come around. Best after 2009. 1,800 cases made. “JS  Issue: Oct 15, 2007 Wine Spectator

2004 Capannelle Solare IGT (375mls available) Price: $52.00    Your Price: $44.20 Quantity in Stock: 9

(91 Points) The 2004 Solare is a powerful, dense offering that bursts from the glass with an array of earthiness, tar, smoke, black cherries and grilled herbs. This rich, sensual wine reveals superb depth and a long, harmonious finish. Solare is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera that spent 2 years in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. Wine Advocate #184, Aug 2009

Wine Watch notes:  A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera big bouquet here of black plum and black cherry fruit, black licorice spice, black earth, truffle very complex bouquet.  Thick and juicy on the tongue with layers of black cherry and wild strawberry black licorice spice and black truffle nuance on the finish with firm acidity holding things together with distinct earth and minerality through the finish.  Finish 50+              Most Excellent

2005 Capannelle Solare IGT (Magnums and 375mls available) Price: $55.50    Your Price: $48.84

Winery Description : Brilliant, deep ruby red, with bright purple reflections.  Very intense, penetrating, persistent, rich bouquet reminiscent of vanilla, coffee, breadcrust, dried fruit, prunes and cloves. Pleasing, velvety, full palate with well balanced tannins and acidity.  The very smooth, sweet tannins are conducive to a delightfully mellow finish. The latter is extremely complex and persistent, with an aftertaste of morello cherries and tobacco.

2006 Avignonesi Capannelle Toscana 50 & 50 Price: $165.00    Your Price: $145.20

(95 Points) Full, dense and polished, with lovely raspberry, plum, new wood and fresh herb character. Layered and gorgeous. This is a blend of wine from the wineries of Avignonesi and Capannelle. Best after 2013. 835 cases made. –JS  Wine Spectator, Issue: Oct 31, 2010

Menu:

Selection of Cheese: Reggiano  Parmesan, Beemster Gouda, Triple Cream Blue

Tomato and mozzarella napoleon with balsamic drizzle and fresh basil

Wild Mushroom Lasagna with three cheese and Italian Sausage

A bit about Capannelle Winery:

The history of Capannelle wine producing dates back to 1974, when Raffaele Rossetti, a 40 year old business man in Rome, decided to purchase an old XVI century farmhouse in the heart of Chianti.

Capannelle wine producers in Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, extends over about 20 hectares (16 of Vineyard) and produces about 80.000 bottles of wine a year. The owner is James B. Sherwood, founder and shareholder of the Orient - Express Hotels LTD., which owns some of the world's most beautiful hotels: Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Hotel Spendido in Portofino, Villa San Michele in Florence, Hotel Caruso in Ravello and many others.

Capannelle's first product came out in 1975, a Chianti wine bearing the name of the farmhouse. A brilliant experiment which in few years led the Company to figure on the list of quality producers.

Capannelle produces a limited number of bottles, 80.000 a year, divided among a Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG matured in barrels (25.000 bottles), Solare IGT aged in Barriques (30.000), a Chardonnay IGT aged and fermented in Barriques (10.000) and 50&50 (15.000, in collaboration with Avignonesi di Monteplulciano). It also produces 800 Litres of extra-virgin olive oil a year, the result of Leccino and Moraiolo variety selection.

Older Vintage and size/format Capannelle Wines Available:

There are a few older vintage wines that we will not be showing that are also available from Capannelle winery along with a selection of wines in 375ml and Magnum format listed below.

2010 Capannelle Chardonnay Toscana IGT Magnum Price: $113.50   Your Price: $99.88

2010 Capannelle Chardonnay Toscana IGT (375ml) Price: $113.50   Your Price: $99.88

Nose : Intense, reminiscent of a range of aromas going from flint and mineral notes to fruity nuances of pears and citrus fruit, evolving into almonds and toasted bread.

Winery Description:  Dry, with pleasing freshness and at the same time, buttery texture and round tannins that mesh with the polyalcohols, endowing the wine with a beautifully mellow appeal. Intensity and persistence enhance the wines balance, promising excellent longevity.  The finish is nice and clean, showing toasted notes, vanilla, pear and a slight, bitterish touch of licorice.  Harmony and finesse are evident: a wine that speaks of this terroir with all its aromas, mineral notes and unique charm.

2002 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico Price: $33.00   Your Price: $29.04

An off year for Chianti but this is where producers like Capannelle really shine.

2008 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico Price: $47.25   Your Price: $41.58

(91+ Points) Sweet red cherries, tobacco, herbs and autumn leaves are some of the notes in the 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva. This is relatively mid-weight, focused Chianti that impresses for its overall balance, but it isn’t an immediate wine, rather it is a Chianti that requires a little bit of time and patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.   Wine Advocate #196, Aug 2011

2009 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico Price: $47.25   Your Price: $41.58

2010 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico (375ml) Price: $25.75   Your Price: $22.66

2010 Capannelle Riserva Chianti Classico (Magnum) Price: $102.75  Your Price: $90.42

Winery Description: 100% Sangiovese A full intensive and bright ruby red.  Perfumes unfold reminding us of mature fruit with light hints of iris flower.  One can appreciate the balance between acidity and the level of alcohol which gives a fresh, soft and round taste. It leaves a pleasant long lasting taste.

(89 Points) Features bright notes of sour cherry, strawberry and earth, allied to a lean, linear profile. The finely knit tannins reign on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 2,500 cases made. –BS  Wine Spectator, Issue: Aug 31, 2013

2004 Capannelle Solare IGT (375ml) Price: $28.50    Your Price: $25.08

(91 Points) The 2004 Solare is a powerful, dense offering that bursts from the glass with an array of earthiness, tar, smoke, black cherries and grilled herbs. This rich, sensual wine reveals superb depth and a long, harmonious finish. Solare is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera that spent 2 years in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. Wine Advocate #184, Aug 2009

Wine Watch notes:  A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera big bouquet here of black plum and black cherry fruit, black licorice spice, black earth, truffle very complex bouquet.  Thick and juicy on the tongue with layers of black cherry and wild strawberry black licorice spice and black truffle nuance on the finish with firm acidity holding things together with distinct earth and minerality through the finish.  Finish 50+              Most Excellent

2005 Capannelle Solare IGT (Magnum) Price: $119.00   Your Price: $104.72

2005 Capannelle Solare IGT (375ml) Price: $29.75   Your Price: $26.18

Winery Description : Brilliant, deep ruby red, with bright purple reflections.  Very intense, penetrating, persistent, rich bouquet reminiscent of vanilla, coffee, bread crust, dried fruit, prunes and cloves. Pleasing, velvety, full palate with well balanced tannins and acidity.  The very smooth, sweet tannins are conducive to a delightfully mellow finish. The latter is extremely complex and persistent, with an aftertaste of morello cherries and tobacco.

2006 Capannelle Solare IGT (Magnum) Price: $119.00   Your Price: $104.72

2006 Capannelle Solare IGT (375ml) Price: $29.75   Your Price: $26.18

2006 Capannelle Solare IGT Price: $55.50   Your Price: $48.84

(92 Points) This presents intense aromas and flavors of cherry, licorice, underbrush and wild herbs. Powerful and sinewy, with aggressive tannins and lively acidity. A balanced wine, but needs time for the tannins to mellow. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Drink now through 2025. 3,300 cases made. –BS  Wine Spectator Issue: Sep 30, 2013

1995 Avignonesi Capannelle Toscana 50 & 50 Price: $165.00    Your Price: $140.25 Quantity in Stock: 1

(90 points) Modern, big and well-crafted red. Plenty of sweet berry, plum and cherry aromas. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and a fruity, vanilla aftertaste. Fruit and new toasted oak galore. A joint effort from these two wineries. Best from 2000 through 2004. 1,000 cases made. “ JS  Wine Spectator, Issue: Nov 30, 1999

2005 Avignonesi 50 & 50 Capannelle IGT              Price: $165.00    Sale $145.20

(91 Points) Wonderfully perfumed, with sandalwood and berries. Full-bodied, with polished, velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Balanced and very pretty. Just coming around now. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2010 through 2015. 1,660 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator, Issue: Web Only - 2009

2007 Avignonesi 50 & 50 Capannelle IGT              Price: $165.00    Sale $145.20

This pretty much a 50/50 blend from these two producers, a good amount of fresh plowed earth nuance to the dark cherry and dark plum like fruit with black licorice spice and fresh plowed earth along with fine herbs. A big and chewy wine with lots of tannins here on the tongue but smooth and round with a good amount of fresh earth and ripe berry fruit with a long fresh finish, this wine needs a bit more time to come together fully but has all the right pieces in place.  Finish 50+                   Most Excellent