Don Raffaele Cirò (2016)

About this wine

The Don Raffaele Cirò Baroni Capoano 2016 is a garnet-colored red wine with dark ruby reflections. On the nose, it offers an intense and complex bouquet featuring aromas of dried prune, wilted violet, and smoked scents, followed by notes of blackcurrant and cherry. The palate is full-bodied and persistent, with a winning softness and sensations of great flavor. This wine is produced in limited quantities and is available in strictly numbered bottles. The Gaglioppo grapes used in this wine are harvested in the second half of October, allowing for optimal ripeness and flavor development.

About the grape

Gaglioppo is an ancient red grape variety native to Calabria, Italy, particularly thriving in the Cirò region. Its name, meaning "closed fist" in the local dialect, refers to the grape's tightly packed clusters. Historically, Gaglioppo was believed to have Greek origins, but recent DNA studies suggest it's a descendant of the Italian Sangiovese and Mantonico Bianco grapes. This grape is known for its resilience to drought and frost, making it well-suited to the hot, dry climate of Calabria. In the production of the 2016 Baroni Capoano Don Raffaele Cirò, Gaglioppo grapes are harvested from low-yield, hillside vineyards, ensuring concentrated flavors. The wine undergoes a long maceration and is aged in steel tanks for at least three years, highlighting the grape's robust character.

Quick facts

• 🏛️ The Gaglioppo grape, used in Don Raffaele Cirò Baroni Capoano 2016, is one of Italy's oldest varieties, with a history dating back to ancient Greece.
• 🍇 Gaglioppo is believed to be a natural cross between Sangiovese and Mantonico Bianco grapes.
• 👣 The name 'Gaglioppo' is thought to derive from a Greek term meaning 'beautiful foot,' referring to the shape of the grape bunches.
• 🍒 Wines made from Gaglioppo, like Don Raffaele Cirò Baroni Capoano 2016, often exhibit flavors of red berries, cherries, and spicy notes.
• 🍷 The Cirò region, where this wine is produced, is one of the oldest wine-producing areas in Italy, with a winemaking tradition spanning over 2,500 years.

Palate profile

Producer

Baroni Capoano is a historic winery located in Cirò Marina, Calabria, Italy, with roots tracing back over thirteen centuries. The Capoano family has a longstanding tradition in viticulture, producing wines that have been esteemed since ancient times. The estate spans approximately 20 hectares, featuring centuries-old olive groves and native vineyards cultivated in the traditional 'alberello' style, which contributes to the high quality of their wines. The winery's cellars are situated beneath the family mansion, with thick stone walls ensuring a constant, optimal temperature for wine aging. An interesting historical note is a letter from 1198, where Cardinal Pietro Capoano requested wine for the Pope, highlighting the family's deep connection to winemaking.