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. — 14 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

One of my favorite wines to have with basic pasta with tomato sauces (with or without meat) is Argentine Bonarda. Unfortunately we’re overrun with effing Malbec and Bonarda remains hard to find in the states, even though it’s widely grown in Argentina. This has the classic dark, purply color. Tangy dark mountain berries, crushed rocks, and bitter herbs on the nose. A blast of flavor initially, fading quickly into lingering minerals and acids. (A flavor profile that just works with the aforementioned pasta.). Cheap and good. Glad I stumbled on this. (Not sure why @Delectable Wine published my notes a second time as a comment 🤷) — 3 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

JKT

9.1

Very interesting style of Cab Franc. Robust and fill of dark fruited notes though still balanced, perhaps due to age. — 7 months ago

Patrick Bean

9.0

Delicious! Dry. — 4 years ago

Mark Eastom

8.9

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

Christopher

9.1

Excellent summer wine. Serve chilled. Very light and fruity. — a month ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

This wine looks like a rosato, lightly tinted for a red wine. The nose offers bright cherry and lilac scents. On the palate, juicy and vibrant red fruit are a delight, while the acidity is refreshing and the tannins are medium-firm. It finishes medium, with plenty of fruity reminders of the sip. With summer on the way, keep this one in mind if you need a light red to chill for the patio. — 2 months 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

Steve Rura

9.2

Delicious and joyful Lambrusco! Frothy, dried berries, ripe strawberries and some earthy undertones. Very easy to drink with just a light chill. Organic. — 7 months ago

Bonnie Chu

9.1

California tasting, v cherry, v sta Rita hills — 10 months ago

Vanessa

10

Fruity, bubbly/fuzzy, sweet. Always have it in hand — 4 years ago

Matt Waring

9.3

One of the best California Pinots I’ve had. Red fruit, tobacco, and pepper, oaky and savory with spot-on body and balance. Excellent value at Costco — a month ago

ARNS

9.3

Love it … so amazing — a month ago

Andrew Keenan

9.7

Moores 2024. $25. Still the greatest. — 4 months ago

Will Huntley

9.0

Candy strawberry — 4 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Gernet, looks aged. Ample aroma Green tea Macha and Red tea. Raspberry blueberry Black currant, black cherry. Clove cinnamon nutmeg Leather Fe Dry herb. Fruitiness M Sweetness M+ Acidity M+ Tannin M++ silky? Later on, Floral and elegant. <300m facing south. Fontanafredda La Rosa Barolo 20 @24216, Mont, 251123 — 7 months ago

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