There is a unmistakable sense of chiselled tension and swirling drive to the wines of Pieropan that has stayed impressively consistent through the recent decades of northern Italy's fluctuating growing seasons. Veneto is one of those areas that can see extreme drought and unrelenting heat one year, followed by wind, rain and hailstorms the next. Four generations have led this proud estate since its inception in 1890, and even now over 130 years and many hand picks of indigenous Garganega later, the passionate family tradition lives on through brothers Andrea and Dario.
Their passion comes through in spades with their latest releases; always of note is the 'Calvarino' and 'La Rocca' Soaves, this year they hail from the 2024 season, both so incredibly detailed and structural. This has come as a slight surprise, to say the least, as 2024 was a season riddled with challenges - a rainy winter and a searing summer posed as initial challenges to the brothers. What ends up coming through in the end is their belief in the central importance of the vine, and the unwavering potential it holds when its fruit is picked and aged in the right way. The bouquets remain powerful and exotic, and the palates the right balance between smooth and persistent. There are no other Soave releases each year that can excite us more than this duo.
These will opened and on our tasting table come this Saturday (16th)between 12 and 2pm, as well as their well poised entry label, the Soave Classico, and two rich dark reds in the 'Ruberpan' Valpolicella and 2018 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella 'Vigna Garzon' - both will do well in fighting off this cold rainy Brisbane snap! We'll be finishing off with their delightful 'Le Colombare' dessert wine, filled with tropicals, glazed nuts and candied spice that lingers on and on...
Not many names show Veneto at the height of its powers better than this icon, and we hope to prove that come the weekend!
Soave Classico 2025 -
$40 on special this week ($45 RRP)
// Made with 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave in cement tanks
"Every year Pieropan captures the soul of Soave, Garganega and the vintage in such a pristine way that it keeps us in awe. This vintage shines with aromas of Fuji pears, Anjou apples, lemon blossom and flint. The palate is crisp with green apple skin and lemon zest flavors that give way to toasted almonds, acacia honey and a minerality so deep that you might as well be in a quarry." - 93 Points, Jeff Porter, WineEnthusiast.com
'Calvarino' Soave Classico 2024 -
$69 on special this week ($79 RRP)
// Garganega 70%, Trebbiano di Soave 30%
"The wine ages in glass-lined concrete ‘tulipe’ tanks for 12-15 months. During this period, it remains on its fine lees to increase richness and complexity. The noble lees are moved periodically through manual battonage. After bottling, it ages slowly in the bottle for a few months before release. The nose is fresh, mineral, with intense floral notes of acacia, jasmine and elderflower, and rich fruit notes such as fresh almond, pear, yellow peach, pineapple, lemon and the characteristic crispy cherry. It closes on nuances reminiscent of aromatic herbs, sage, lemon-thyme and mint. Dry, refreshing, well balanced and elegant, with tremendous length and finesse." - Winemaker Notes
'La Rocca' Soave Classico 2024 -
$83 on special this week ($95 RRP)
// 100% Garganega
"La Rocca single-vineyard is situated on the slopes of Monte Rocchetta, behind the Medieval Castle which dominates the town of Soave. The vineyard benefits from a special microclimate which makes it possible to obtain a wine with a great personality, and a unique and unrepeatable bouquet. The grapes are destemmed, crushed and the wine is fermented in french oak tonneaux and big oak barrels. On the nose, reminiscent of exotic fruit, yellow peach and dry apricot, nuts and almond, sweet spices such as saffron, ginger powder, white pepper, honey and a light balsamicity. Warm, elegant, smooth and persistent on the palate." - Winemaker Notes
Valpolicella 'Ruberpan' 2022 -
$60 on special this week ($69 RRP)
// Corvina Veronese 60%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 5%, Croatina Veronese 5%
"Ruberpan, Valpolicella Superiore DOC, was born in 2003 from vineyards in Cellore di Illasi, 500 m ASL on Monte Garzon. A red wine with an elegant, enveloping sip and a fresh-savoury character that makes it particularly harmonious and versatile. It ages in french oak tonneaux (40-50% of first passage) for 18/24 months followed by a period in bottle before release. Typical note of cherry, small red fruits, currant jam and red roses. Pleasant spicy notes, black pepper, cinnamon, juniper berries and cloves. Hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, aromatic woods and a distinct balsamic character. The palate is Fresh, sapid, with fruity character; tannic and delicate texture." - Winemaker Notes
"A singular Valpolicella Superiore which is absolutely singing in 2022. Bitter herbs and cola give it an amaro character, which mingles with a distinct black tea savouriness and some gentle spice. Soft and succulent red fruits are underlined by sapid minerality and lingering freshness. Class." - 93 Points, James Button, Decanter
Amarone della Valpolicella 'Vigna Garzon' 2018 -
$155 on special this week ($179 RRP)
// Corvina Veronese 60%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 5%, Croatina Veronese 5%
"Amarone is the flagship wine of Valpolicella and represents an exciting challenge for the Pieropan Company. This wine was born from the family's desire to interpret in 'Pieropan style' the unique terroir of Valpolicella, realising the dream of an important wine, rich and structured, but also fine and elegant, a distinctive feature of Pieropan wines. It ages in french oak tonneaux of 500 l for, at least, 36 months, followed by one year of aging in vitrified concrete tanks and one year in bottle before the release." - Winemaker Notes
"The 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Vigna Garzon smolders with an array of rum-soaked cherries, ginger cookie, mint leaf and shavings of dark chocolate. It is lifted in style with a pretty inner sweetness and tart wild berry fruits elevated by crunchy mineral tones and a core of zesty acidity. The finish is medium in length yet impactful, leaving a subtle sour cherry concentration and pleasant chewiness. An excellent effort for the vintage." - 93 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
'Le Colombare' Recioto di Soave 2021 500ml -
$95 on special this week ($109 RRP)
"A sweet, raisin wine of long tradition that takes its name from the ‘recie’ (ears in Veneto dialect) of the carefully selected Garganega grape. It is a wine much loved by the Pieropan family, who have been producing it using the traditional system for several generations. At the end of fermentation, the wine ages in 2500 litre acacia and french oak barrels for around two years, followed by - at least - 6 months of bottle aging before the release. Rich and intense, it has an appealing balsamic note on the nose, opening to a complex bouquet of ripe, tropical fruit, apricots in syrup, candied lime-peel roasted almonds and quince. Spicy, ethnic-sounding, with notes of turmeric, saffron and ginger powder. Sweet notes of honey, beeswax and barley candy. Amber and aromatic. Warm, well-balnced, smooth and persistent. Surprisingly fresh-tasting and very elegant." - Winemaker Notes
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Thursday the 21st of May