Cantina Zaccagnini – a magnificent wine estate in the Bolognano region of Abruzzo, a remote area surrounded by snow-capped mountains – is a family affair, father and son, Ciccio and Marcello Zaccagnini, and cousin & winemaker Concezio Marulli. Though Cantina Zaccagnini is now a very respected, well-capitalized, well-established winery with many awards to its credit, the first 1978 vintage was produced in the Zaccagnini’s garage. Initially, 1,000 bottles of wine per year was the average production. Today, the annual production is over 500,000, with 85% of the wine exported to 43 countries.
“It is not difficult to produce a premium wine,” notes Angelo Ruzzi, export manager for Cantina Zaccagnini, “It is much more difficult to produce a value wine.” And while Zaccagnini does produce three quality levels of wine, it has been particularly successful at consistently turning out quality wines at extremely reasonable prices.
2013 Cantina Zaccagnini Pinot Grigio, $13.00 – $16.00 – The Winery’s Pinot Grigio is produced from 100% Pinot Grigio grapes that are harvested by hand. Following low-temperature fermentation, the wine is aged in stainless steel.
This is a first-rate Pinot Grigio alive with whiffs of minerals and tropical fruit. It is medium-bodied and lush on the palate with a crisp, vibrant acidity and citrusy finish. A versatile wine, it is eminently enjoyable, either flying solo or as the perfect complement to a variety of foods. It remains a constant winner, a simple yet elegant wine that fills the bill for just about any occasion… And the price isn’t bad either.
2011 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, $14.99 – I previously reviewed this wine in January 2009, commenting upon the 2005 and the 2004 Riserva. And, interestingly enough, it was first sampled in La Valle Ristorante, a homey little Italian eatery (where the friendly youthful bartender hailed from Milan) tucked away just around the corner from Munich’s Marienplatz.
This particular wine, produced from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes, has always enjoyed the excellent reputation of being a reasonably priced dark & inky rough ‘n’ ready red that was just right for everyday quaffing and/or the perfect sidekick for zesty pasta dishes and other hale & hearty fare. From year to year, the Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has always been an utterly reliable wine… But the 2011 vintage, if you’ll pardon the pun, is definitely a wine of a different color…
The 2011 is still full bodied, but it is also softly textured and, yes… downright opulent on the palate. Aged in French oak barrels for eight months, followed by several months in the bottle prior to release, this is a wine – rife with succulent ripe fruit and soothing touch of vanilla – that has truly come into its own. So much so, in fact, that James Suckling of the Wine Spectator bestowed a whopping 91 points (out of 100), and Tastings.com rated it 89 and highly recommended.
And, amazingly enough, it is still an incredible bargain. The 2011 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo will set you back a mere $15.00; a few dollars less at Total Wines, where I’ve observed it literally flying off the shelves by the case.
This is an exceptional wine at an exceptional price that wine lovers can’t afford to pass up… I recommend it highly.
Cheers!
TAD
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