I've been a longtime fan of Italian Soave, as the region's whites offer up wonderful terroir expression at shockingly low prices. Tenuta Corte Giacobbe deserves mention as one of the top estates in the region.
Their 2023 Monte Calvarina Soave took home 94 points and Best Buy honors from Wine Enthusiast, making it their top-rated Soave of the vintage. After tasting it last week, I'm not at all surprised by that -- this is vibrant yet seductive, and it's made for lovers of dry Chenin Blanc, White Burgundy, and Albarino.
Just 120 bottles up for grabs, and you're going to love the price! Once those 10 cases are gone, there's no more to be had....
2023 Corte Giacobbe Soave Superiore 'Monte Calvarino'
Buy a Solid Six-Pack+: $16.99/bottle and over 20% off!
Anything Less: $18.99/bottle ($21.99 regular price)
On Sale Through February 22, 2025.
Based in the town of Ronca, 50 miles west of Venice, the Dal Cero family own some enviable sites planted on two extinct volcanoes -- Monte Calvarina and Crocetta. The dark and rocky soils found in these high-elevation vineyards are made up of broken-down lava and tufa, and it is this dirt that produces the best wines in the region.
Soave's native Garganega grape thrives in these well-drained soils, and that is abundantly evident when you stick your nose into a glass of this wine. Wonderful scents of Meyer lemon, apple, peach, white flower, and flinty, smoky mineral come roaring out of the glass. To this wine lover, this smells like a $40+ bottle of white wine.
The palate is just as pleasing -- despite being fermented and aged in tank, the texture is rich and downright seductive. Deeply flavored yet fresh and vibrant, this coats the palate with delicious and sustained flavors of ripe citrus and orchard fruits along with delicate notes of honeysuckle, almond, and wet rock.
I could drink this stuff all day, but I'm going to tuck a few bottles into my cellar, as world-class Soaves like this have a great track record for aging and improving. Wine Enthusiast said drink "now-2035," and I'm inclined to agree with them.
No aging required though, this is drinking very well in its current state. Enjoy with just about any sort of fish or seafood preparation that involves olive oil, lemon, and garlic, and thank me in the morning : )
