The colour is medium ruby. On the nose red berries and clay pot. In the mouth pleasantly rustic. The aftertaste is medium long.
Duca Sanfelice is made by Librandi with Gaglioppo grapes under the denomination Cirò DOC Riserva Classico Superiore.
In Calabria there are 9 DOC regions: Bivongi DOC; Cirò DOC; Greco di Bianco DOC; Lamezia DOC; Melissa DOC; Anna di Isola; Capo Rizzuto DOC; Savuto DOC; Scavigna DOC; Terre di Cosenza DOC.
Cirò is Calabria’s flagship wine region and the oldest DOC, established in 1969.
The winemaking history of Cirò stretches back hundreds of years. At a time when the area was under Greek rule, its red wine was said to have been offered to the athletes who won the Olympic Games.
Nowadays, Cirò is best known for the red wines based on the Gaglioppo grape variety, although a limited quantity of Cirò Bianco and Rosato are also produced. The white must contain at least 80% Greco Bianco grapes, with any other white varieties permitted in Calabria making up the balance. The Rosato has the same blend rules as the Rosso.
A Cirò Rosso must be made with at least 80% Gaglioppo grapes, with other authorized red grapes providing the balance.
Cirò Superiore must have a minimum of 13.5% alcohol. Cirò Rosso Riserva wines represent the finest that Cirò can produce. They must be matured for at least two years before commercial release.
For a long time, talking about Calabria’s viticulture meant talking about a single winery: Librandi. A family-owned winery that began bottling its wines in 1953.
For this bottle I paid 11.90 EUR at the winery, when I visited Calabria during my Eastern Holidays.
Country: Italy
Region: Calabria
Grapes: Gaglioppo
Type: Red
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Librandi
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5