The
wines of Pieropan,
Soave, Italy
Leonildo Pieropan, Via Camuzzoni 3, 37038 Soave, Verona,
Italy
Tel: +39 045 6190171 Fax: +39 045 619 0040
Website: www.pieropan.it
UK agent: Liberty Wines (020 7720 5350; info@libertywine.co.uk)
Soave in the Veneto is home to an awful lot of dull, neutral
dry whites, but there are some real stars making some serious wines,
of which the three leading names are probably Inama,
Anselmi (review to follow) and Pieropan. Nino Pieropan and his wife
Teresita have a commitment to terroir and tradition, and have worked
hard with their research on different clones, safeguarding near
extinct varieties. In the vineyard (they have 30 ha of vines overall)
they practice short pruning, green harvesting and organic manuring in
their quest for quality. The wines aren’t showy but display real
class and concentration – they are whites that I really enjoy. The
sweet wine, Le Colombare, is also compelling.
Pieropan Soave Classico 2002
90% Garganega and 10% Trebbiano di Soave, tank fermented. Quite a
taut, dense herby nose with a refreshing grassy edge. Fresh with good
concentration of herb tinged fruit on the palate. Clean and crisp.
Very good+ 88/100
Pieropan La Rocca 2001 Soave Classico
The vineyard takes its name from the adjacent castle in the town
of Soave. 100% Garganega, late harvested and aged in 500 litre oak
barrels for a year. Complex, intense herby nose with a forward, lifted
edge. Great concentration of herby, nutty fruit on the palate with a
lemony character. Savoury, rich and impressive. Very good/excellent
92/100
Pieropan Le Colombare 2000 Recioto di Soave
This dessert wine is made from semi-dried Garganega grapes (they
are dried on racks for five months), fermented and then aged in oak
barrels for two years. Dense, aromatic herby nose with sweet vanilla
and caramel edge. Lovely rich complexity on the palate, which is
marmaladey and rich with herbiness and nice balance. Impressive. Very
good/excellent 91/100
Back to top
|