This is a pre-arrival offering that is expected fall 2026. Please order these Moscardini wines separately from the wines of other producers. The minimum order is 3 bottles - mix or match.
Our tasting impressions
We have long admired Gianni's superb work with Tuscan Cabernet Franc in the form of his top-shelf Atteone, So, you can imagine our delight when he added this to his Sileno line. This is positively ripping - tons of energy and great depth. There is noticeable tannic structure but the ripe, crunchy fruit makes it so inviting and satisfying. This can be what you want, when you want...fun and delicious or serious and provocative. Either way, you get a great wine.
About this wine
The second vintage of this Cabernet Franc from the Campo al Pino Reserva plots in magmatic-volcanic limestone soil. Grapes are harvested manually, then vinified and aged separately based on vineyard.
Fermentation is with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. About 10% whole bunches are introduced in order to to enhance the aromas and freshness. Maceration is over 10 days. Then it ages for one year in (recycled tiles) amphora and six months more after bottling. 6,400 bottles produced.
About the grape
Cabernet Franc, an ancient variety, thrives in cooler climates because it ripens best slowly. This allows its green, vegetal flavorings to be balanced and nuanced. Green bell pepper is a frequent flavor descriptor of these wines.
Cabernet Franc tends to produce lighter, softer, more acidic and less tannic wines than Cabernet Sauvignon (the latter is an offspring of the former crossed with Sauvignon Blanc). The style of Cabernet Franc wines, which are made all over the world, can range from simple and easy drinking to dark, brooding and substantial. The best can age for decades.
About the vintage
2023 was not an easy vintage and yields were about 20% less than usual. This was mostly due to a rainy spring. But a dry and windy summer was redeeming. In September, there was good temperature variation between night and day, which was a great boost, particularly to the red grapes. As is often the case in years like this, a smaller crop results in greater concentration. Overall, a high quality vintage.
Gianni Moscardini's azienda in the village of Pomaia is in the northern Tuscan Maremma. This is the west coast, near Pisa. The Moscardini family has owned this land for 2 centuries but Gianni was the first to plant vines in its varied soils in 2008.
Production is growing and will soon reach 100,000 bottles annually from 13.5ha at an elevation of about 180m. The southwest-facing vines are trained in either the Guyot or Cordone Speronato system. All of the varieties are planted in at least 2 plots - each with a different soil composition - including some volcanic (YEAH!).
Gianni is an agronimist and his wife Meri is a plant biologist at the National Council of Research in Pisa. Together, they have deeply studied the soils and terroir of their land to determine what varieties will perfom best. Their credo is to produce wines that fit seamlessly with the land, which is why they vinify the grapes from each plot separately prior to blending.
VDLT is the only U.S. source for current offerings Gianni's wonderful, singular wines.
