The wines of Le Coste di Gradoli, Lazio, Italy

The wines of Le Coste de Gradoli, Lazio, Italy
Impressive natural wines from volcanic soils in a lesser-known region of Italy

Via Piave 9, Gradoli (VT), Italy
Phone: 328 7926950 Fax: 0761 456685
E-mail: lecostedigradoli@hotmail.com

This is a very interesting project started in 2004 by Gian-Marco Antonuzi and Clementine Bouveron. They are winegrowers in the Lazio region, which is about halfway between Pisa and Rome. They farm 6.5 hectares of vines on volcanic soils near the village of Gradoli, overlooking Lago di Bolsena, and work biodynamically.

The primary red grape here is Greghetto, which is the local version of Sangiovese. White varieties include Procanico and Malvasia. Half their vines are rented, half are owned. Winemaking is natural, with no inputs, including SO₂.

As well as the four wines tried here, they also make a red, white and pink Litrozzo, which are natural, easy-drinking everyday wines in litre bottles with a screwcap.

UK agent is Raeburn wines

THE WINES

Le Coste di Gradoli Bianco 2008 Lazio, Italy
90% Procanico, with a range of other varieties making up the balance. Two years in 500 litre barrels. 12 mg/litre total SO₂, produced naturally by yeasts. Wonderfully sweet rich pear and peach nose is exotic with some sweetness. Lovely structured, grippy palate with lovely fruit qualities. Lively and intense with good acidity. 93/100

Le Coste di Gradoli Bianco del Paino 2008 Lazio, Italy
Old vine Procanico, aged for two years in 500 litre barrels. Yellow/orange colour. Complex, lively, pure nose with notes of fresh citrus, melon and apricot. The palate is structured and bold with grippy tannins, but also some elegance. Lovely freshness and purity to the fruit, with some pear skin character. 94/100

Le Coste di Gradoli Rosso 2009 Lazio, Italy
95% Greghetto, with the balance being Colorino, Cannaiolo and Ciliegiolo Vaiano. 12 months ageing in large barrels, 10 mg/litre total SO₂. Very fresh with pure cherry and berry fruit. Nicely savoury with mineral grippiness on the palate. Pure, vivid and delicious with nice complexity. 94/100

Le Coste di Gradoli Rosso Piu 2008 Lazio, Italy
From 60 year old Greghetto vines, aged for two years in demi-muids. 9 mg/l total SO₂. Taut, spicy, reductive nose leads to a dense, grippy palate with savoury, mineral qualities and taut berry and cherry fruit. Complex wine that needs time. 93/100