I have reviewed six wines from Ca' del Bosco, from the 2015 to 2020 vintages, across Franciacorta and Sebino. Most are Chardonnay. Scores range from 93 to 97, averaging 95; the highest is the 2015 Ca’ del Bosco Annamaria Clementi Cuvee Franciacorta Riserva (97 points). Ca' del Bosco also features in two journal articles on this site.
For much of the world, Ca’ del Bosco is Franciacorta. In the 1960s the area was a quiet corner of Lombardy making forgettable still wine, until a rebellious teenager, Maurizio Zanella, came home from a trip to France to his mother’s farmhouse — the “house in the woods” — with one radical idea: to make Italian sparkling wine that could beat the French at their own game. He planted Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco, built a winery devoted to purity, and was a driving force behind the creation of the Franciacorta DOCG.
Purity is the house obsession. Every grape passes through a three-stage washing and drying system before pressing, each parcel is fermented in its own small barrel or tank, and the underground cellars move everything by gravity. Cuvée Prestige is the wine that defines the house and, for many, the region: a multi-vintage blend from more than 130 plots with 20–30% reserve wines, aged over two years on the lees. The Vintage Collection Satèn, bottled at lower pressure, is all silk and finesse.
At the top sits Annamaria Clementi, named for Zanella’s mother: from the oldest vineyards, fermented in small oak casks and aged about nine years on the lees, it transcends “sparkling.” Its rosé version is pure Pinot Nero from three old-vine parcels, one of the most serious sparkling rosés anywhere. The still wines matter too: the Maurizio Zanella Bordeaux blend, and Bosco Selva della Tesa, a Chardonnay from 35-year-old vines in French oak with the structure of a red.
“Satèn” is Franciacorta’s unique gift to the sparkling world. A “white from whites” (100% Chardonnay in this case), it is
2019 Ca’ del Bosco “Vintage Collection Satèn” Franciacorta Read Post »
This is the pinnacle. Named for Maurizio Zanella’s mother, Annamaria Clementi is the “tête de cuvée,” the estate’s monumental, no-compromise
2015 Ca’ del Bosco Annamaria Clementi Cuvee Franciacorta Riserva Read Post »
Everything that makes the Annamaria Clementi legendary, but in Rosé form. This is 100% Pinot Nero from three specific old-vine
2016 Ca’ del Bosco Annamaria Clementi Cuvee Franciacorta Rose Riserva Read Post »
Ca’ del Bosco isn’t just in Franciacorta. For most of the world, Ca’ del Bosco is Franciacorta. And it all
Zanella’s original dream was also inspired by Bordeaux. This is his personal red wine, a “Super-Franciacorta” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
2020 Ca’ del Bosco Maurizio Zanella Rosso Del Sebino IGT Read Post »
When people hear Ca’ del Bosco, they think of their legendary Franciacorta, but for me, the true insider’s wine is
2020 Ca’ del Bosco “Bosco Selva Della Tesa” Chardonnay Sebino IGT Read Post »
Franciacorta, Italy’s premier sparkling wine from Lombardy, has a rich history dating back to the 11th century. Its DOC recognition in 1967 and DOCG status in 1995 underscore its quality. Notable offerings include Berlucchi “61” Extra Brut and Ca’ del Bosco’s exceptional Rosé Riserva, showcasing varied pairings and unique flavors for discerning palates.
Ca’ del Bosco “Cuvée Prestige” isn’t just any sparkling wine. But it is also the standard for non-vintage sparkling wines
