Winery: Le Vigne di Zamò
Region: Friuli
Locale: Manzano, Italy
Appellation: Venezia Giulia
Designation: DOC

Site: Estate vineyards in eastern Friuli

Grapes: 100% Pignolo

Fermentation and Aging: Picked at the peak of ripeness and macerated in open top conical wooden fermentors and oak botti for 15-20 days, with manual punch-downs during the first two days then rack-and-returns and pump overs. Settled, then racked into new barriques where ML fermentation is carried out and the wine matures for 24 months before assemblage. After bottling further aging in the cellar is required before this big, serious wine is released.

Notes: Rare and expensive, Pignolo is a true connoisseur’s wine with tannins meant for the long haul and a fine, expressive nose. The wine demands wild game or rare beef – or guanciale or mature cheeses or, if you are fortunate enough to find an old bottle, even some bitter chocolate or god forbid, a fine cigar. Pignolo in Italian means “finicky” or “fussy” and the grape refuses to ripen evenly, which helps explain both its rarity and its cost. Decant before serving, as the wine will throw a serious load of tannin. About 4,000 bottles produced.

Vintage: 2004