Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Ippolito 1845 – Mare Chiaro Cirò Bianco 2025 – Cirò DOC, Calabria, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A joyful expression of Calabria’s flagship white grape, 100% Greco Bianco. Produced near the Ionian Sea, Mare Chiaro beautifully captures the region’s coastal identity with vibrant freshness, saline minerality, and Mediterranean character. Far from a conventional white wine, it offers both remarkable drinkability and a fascinating glimpse into one of Italy’s oldest wine regions.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright aromas of citrus, white peach, tropical fruit, white flowers, and fresh herbs lead into flavors of lemon zest, pear, stone fruit, and subtle saline minerality. The finish is crisp, savory, and distinctly reminiscent of a sea breeze.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a beautifully balanced texture. Refreshing, mineral-driven, and wonderfully clean, it glides effortlessly across the palate before finishing with lingering coastal freshness.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled octopus, oysters, seafood pasta, fried calamari, ceviche, grilled fish, or fresh burrata with herbs.

Verdict
A delicious coastal white that overdelivers in personality and originality. Fresh, expressive, and endlessly drinkable, it showcases why Calabria deserves far more attention among lovers of distinctive Italian white wines.

Did You Know?
Greco Bianco has been cultivated in Calabria for well over two millennia, with roots tracing back to the arrival of Greek settlers in southern Italy during the era of Magna Graecia (“Greater Greece”). Today, it remains the historic backbone of Cirò Bianco and one of Italy’s oldest continuously cultivated indigenous white grapes.

🍷 Personal Pick
This bottle was simply fun from the very first sip. I loved its coastal personality, saline finish, and the way it kept inviting another glass without ever becoming heavy. It’s the kind of wine I enjoy pouring blind because almost everyone asks the same question afterward: “What was that? Can I have another glass?” That’s always a great sign. Cheers! — 2 days ago

Raul Puga

9.3

Delicious — a year ago

with Mariana

Okamura Seisho

9.5

流石62021(紀元前4000年) もののワイン。神秘な感じの味わい、いつの間にか杯が進みます。
開栓直後からこなれた感じの丸み、とは言え古臭さもなく。 — 5 years ago

Melissa Gill

9.2

Sea salt, stonez — 6 years ago

Sarah E

10

At Altro Paradiso with Maggie and Tammy and Camilla — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.1

First Croatian wine. Saw this and even at $37 had to try. Well worse the money. Young and needs a decant or a nice grilled steak.
Pnp. Very aromatic right off the bat. Black cherry, Forest floor, mushrooms, and a touch of green pepper. Highly recommend giving this a chance especially if you are a fan of other old world wines. — 7 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

2016. Post raucous dinner notes. So delicious. For me, perfect point in the aging arc: still deep, deep fruit but tertiary notes equally prominent. Tannins nearly resolved. Great length and balance (which pains me to say since it’s 15%). — a month ago

with Dan

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah, deep Ruby color with aromas of red and black fruits with tobacco and woodsy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with smoky tobacco, black pepper and herb notes. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, ending with fruit and spice. — 2 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.4

Deep dank — 10 months ago

Kyle James

9.6

Earthy with notes of tobacco. — 4 years ago

Eric Smith

9.1

All around great. Rich. Smooth. Not aweet — 6 years ago

Matthew

9.1

Delicious wine from romania — 6 years ago

David Valenti

8.9

Mocha, roasted spices ie fennel, pepper, but also hints of white chocolate. Full-bodied with dry tannins. Thick and greasy palate. Long, elegant. Great work. — 7 years ago

Brian Wakelin

9.4

Marvin brought it to dinner. — 2 months ago

Jojo

9.0

Excellent wine! — 3 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.3

Cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, mossy earth, oak and hints of stewed fruit. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 5 months ago

Kai Wright

9.0

Earthy, bright fruit, soft tannins, nice long finish — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Major decant needed. Nose is closed on open.
As it opens some lovely herbal notes.

Palate is clean. Tight. Closed.
As it opens tight cherry. Gorgeous.

Much better on day 2. delicious licorice. Fresh cherry fruit. Nose is blasting. Hand crushed mid season cherries. Spice. Roses. Some chocolate on the finish.

Either wait 5 years or decant 5 hours.

Bought from fass selections. — 5 years ago

Gwen Kasprzycki

9.0

34% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot 33% Syrah. Very nice drinking. — 6 years ago

James Gourley

8.9

A good wine but not excellent. The texture is just too soft. Needs a stronger acid backbone. Otherwise, the fruit flavors are nicely accented with cut flowers on the nose, and slightly spiced on the palate. — 7 years ago