Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is a remembrance of Sofia & my trip to Franciacorta & visit to Ca’ del Bosco in 2015.

If Italy has a kind of equivalent to Champagne, it would be Franciacorta. This is not Prosecco. It is made in the traditional method.

It is a beautiful part of Italy with both Lake Garda’s, one smaller (closer) & one much bigger and is a summer haven.

Excuse the fussy pics. I bought a new iPhone 7 just before we left & it had a defective camera.

The nose shows fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, white peach, tropical melons, vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens.

The palate has nice, soft, mousse. Ripe fruits; fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, lemon, lime, white peach, tropical melons & mango. Vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, sea spray, saline, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens, beautiful, acidity, well balanced, nicely structured & toned with an elegant finish that last a full minute and lands on volcanics. — 13 days ago

Sara Urquidez

9.5

8 years out - still pretty red with hints of brown, legs are slowing down, no sediment yet. It's rounded out and smooth but could benefit from more time in the bottle to further develop the medium to full body. First nose of forest floor, mineral and cherry. Deep cherry, oak, with earthy forest flavors and slight minerality. Long finish with low-medium acidity.

Purchased at Castiglion del Bosco winery — 6 months ago

Kland Aida

9.5

Brought it back from Brescia. Apple and yeast tones. Slight almond. May 2025. — 10 months ago

with Zach

Gladys Xiques

9.0

Dark rich overripe fruits. Yet balanced with tobacco. — 4 years ago

Riccardo Arrigoni

9.0

AIS II
Dosage zero — 5 years ago

Michael McGuire

9.0

Always a good option, med acid and med tannins, pretty dry, great with anything rich — 6 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.1

Dark fruit/plum. Med-full bodies. Improved over1-2 hours. Smooth tannins with good acid. Very well balanced. Love this Tuscan Syrah. 1 bottle left if this vintage. Drink next 3-4 years. — 7 years ago

with Sean-Patrick and Roy

ARNS

9.3

Love it … so amazing — a month ago

Fabio Franchella

9.2

Moschus, leder, tabak, viel wildes aroma, leicht krautig, frucht dezent im hintergrund (himbeer/kirsche). Komplexer Grigonlino. 15%, aber wunderbar eingebunden — 6 months ago

with Xenia

Diana Cohen

9.2

Full bodied cherry — 8 months ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.0

Crisp bright. Perfect pizza and Cacio Pepe wine. — 2 years ago

Stephen Countryman

9.3

Excellent. Seemed common on the nose at first, but the first sip blew me away. Complex flavors over a long finish. Fun but sophisticated. We get black berries, chocolate and a hint of tobacco. Hopefully I can find another 2008 one day. — 4 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This pale yellow wine has a fragrant nose with some grassy, herbal notes, although not as grassy as the Tiare. There is a nice floral element and some tropical fruit, too. The palate shows a great Sauvignon Blanc flavor profile - citrus, minerals, herbs - and an acidity which is pleasant enough without getting too crazy. I sometimes find Sauvignon to be a little much on the palate for my taste, but that is not the case with the Turriano. It is a very nice sip and wonderful match for rice or pasta dishes, especially those with an herbal flair to them. BTW, this wine is Friuli DOC. — 5 years ago

aisforalan

9.0

nice. highly drinkable. soft acid for a barbara. usual dark fruit. good weeknight wine. from moore brothers, industry city. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ca’ del Bosco “Annamaria Clementi” Franciacorta 2016, Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Prestige cuvée Franciacorta from Ca’ del Bosco, crafted using the traditional method and aged extensively on lees. The blend includes Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, the latter adding a distinctive Italian identity rarely seen in Champagne. The 2016 vintage shows exceptional balance and refinement, delivering the depth and elegance expected from one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wines.

Aromas & Flavors
White peach, baked apple, citrus zest, toasted brioche, almond pastry, and delicate floral tones. Subtle hints of honey, lemon curd, and crushed stone emerge with air, giving the wine impressive aromatic complexity.

Mouthfeel
Ultra-fine mousse with a creamy yet energetic texture. Structured and layered with vibrant acidity supporting a deep mid-palate. Long, persistent finish with elegance and precision, prestige cuvée level balance that rivals top Champagne houses.

Food Pairings
Lobster or scallop crudo. Oysters with citrus mignonette. Truffle risotto. Branzino or Dover sole. Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A striking example of Franciacorta at its highest level, refined, expressive, and unmistakably luxurious. The structure and finesse easily evoke comparisons with tête de cuvée Champagne, yet the presence of Pinot Bianco adds a subtle Italian nuance that sets it apart.

Did You Know?
Franciacorta requires longer minimum lees aging than Champagne for vintage wines (at least 30 months for vintage expressions), contributing to the creamy texture and complexity found in prestige cuvées like Annamaria Clementi.

🍷 Personal Pick
Absolutely a “whoa factor” sparkling wine, each glass reveals depth and refinement comparable to top Champagne prestige cuvées, yet with a distinctive Italian signature.
— 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 “Cuvée Annamaria Clementi” pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is vinous, toasty, and leesy, with ripe tropical fruits, lemon curd, and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is super rich and creamy. Fabulous stuff. Drink now. Disgorged Autumn of 2015. — 6 months ago

Justin

9.3

Great value — 2 years ago

Mark Eastom

8.9

1/2 bottle. Apple and pear with citrus fruit and nice acid. — 5 years ago

Michele Toscano

8.9

Our last evening in Florence — 7 years ago

with Doug

Peter Falk

9.2

Klassisk, ursnygg Barolo — 7 years ago

with Annika Lindh