- Grape: Cesanese
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Wine: Cisinianum
- Vintage: 2016
- Winery: Cantina Formiconi
- Region: Cesanese Di Affile
- Location: Affile, Lazio, Italy
- Date: 3/11/23
- Distributor: n/a
Curious Synonyms: Bombino Nero, Bambino, Ferrigno Nero, Sancinella.
Nerd Alert: Grape variety used to make red wine in the Lazio region. The variety comes in two distinct types (large berried Cesanese Comune and less widespread Cesanese di Affile). The grape ripens extremely late even in the sunny climes around Rome. Ampelographers believe the grape to be indigenous to the region, even used in Roman winemaking.
Personal Note: Back on track with the main list with yet another unheard of grape for me. You know, I’m sure it’s a minority of wine people, but I do feel a kind of interest sparking for indigenous varieties and rare grapes. I can easily blame my filter bubble for that thought, but I see it within the distributors and courses being offered and reading material about the growth of particular varieties over the last 20 or so years. I find that enlightning.
A funny anecdote about this grape? It was in decline at the turn of the century when an unsuspected let’s say actress of the grown-up persuasion released a wine that got a rare good review from Robert Parker. The wine was 70% Cesanese (Sogno Uno) and from there the grape, and her wine career, got a new lease on life.
So let’s talk about the profile. I didn’t get much of an aroma. It had a thin mantle of mixed red and black fruit but nothing as main character. It wad a light wine with tamed tannins and a little above medium acidity and medium finish. It was quite enjoyable as a “by itself” wine since the bottle didn’t last an hour before it was empty and it was only three of us. Ain’t no better judgement of a wine than that.
Have you tried this grape?
