Avamposti Pinot Nero ‘Ventura’ 2019, Il Cascinone

From a Pinot Noir perspective this is not a ‘big’ wine – yet it’s totally delicious and moreish with succulent fruit and a lovely freshness with graceful hints of cherry, plum and baking spices.  It’s got a hint of elegant Burgundy about it which is probably the best compliment you can pay it, because you ain’t going to get anything as good as this from that region at this price point!

Highly recommended.

Producer notes – production: The grapes were cultivated in one vineyard plot with chalk soils, 350m above sea level in the Monferrato hills. After experimenting with earlier vintages to find the best vinification method for Piemontese Pinot Noir Carlo decided to combine the results of two parcels – 50% underwent fermentation in stainless steel with a portion (20%) of whole bunches – whilst the grapes for the remaining 50% were crushed and ferrmented in large wooden casks. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel. After blending the wine spent 12 months in oak – 75% large cask and 25% barriques – before bottling.

Production at Il Cascinone has obtained the SQNPI trademark – Sistema di Qualità Nazionale di Produzione Integrata (National Quality System of Integrated Crop Management). Wines and vintages that are now fully compatible with this system have a bee symbol on the label, which guarantees that each phase of production has complied with the strict parameters of integrated crop management. In other words, it is sustainable and eco-compatible, certified by an independent third party.