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.
— a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2017 vintage. Oooh that nose. Browned butter and herbs and oak and dill. Hot damn. Gimme scallops or Dover sole for a perfect pairing. Heavy body. Generous oak. Just enough acidity. Color is impressively yellowed. A showstopper with attitude. Woof. Comparably priced White Burg? Haha like 4x price wise. — 3 years ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Brought this to date night at La Crem; excellent G-C, nose is superb, palate is restrained rather than explosive; started to seem a bit wooden later in the opening. Paired best with the Dover sole course — 8 months ago

Rick Phillips

9.1

Didn’t know it was left! Golden Nectar. Just grabbed a Terraces Chardonnay. After drinking with Dover Sole in a butter/same wine sauce over brown rice. Delicious. Mellow Butter accompanied with the wine sauce. Soft flaky white fish with the buttery honey suckle wine! — 2 years ago

with Letha

Jeff Ball

9.0

Medium bodied, tart, also a bit sweet, but no oak, some minerals. Paired well with Dover Sole. — 4 years ago

Billy L.

9.0

Paired nicely with calamari appetizer, Dover Sole & Salmon entrées. Cheers — 4 years ago

Stuart Pollack

9.4

Lovely Schioppettino accompanying gnocchi with white truffle and Dover sole. The smooth and medium body somehow worked with fish and gnocchi even though a white wine would have been a more expected match. A beautiful match and an underrated wine. — 2 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.1

Bright clear lemon yellow in the glass. Hints of mineral, lemon pith, puckery key lime. Real power both in weight and bright acid. Nicely textured… long finish. Perfect with Dover sole Fish and Chips. — 3 years ago

Holly Gamblin

10

@Estiatorio Milos in Miami enjoying this lovely Sancerre with our Dover Sole and Branzino. This has got to be the lightest, feathery Sancerre we’ve ever had. Sancerre is my favorite for many reasons. Just a beautiful wine for any time of year but beckons you to the beach and a warm breeze. — 3 years ago

Diana Cohen

9.0

We had at the Wolsey . Even flavor notes , light bodied good with Dover sole . — 4 years ago