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Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
—Ecclesiasticus, ch. 38, v. 1
(Our sample bottle was purchased by us at standard retail.)
Arnaldo Caprai's so-called "Grecante" Grechetto comes from the Colli Martini appellation, wherein 100% Grechetto wines are allowed (elsewhere in Italy, they would have to be labelled just "white wine of Umbria", because of the arguably absurd wine laws. Grechetto is an ingredient in the blend so well known as Orvieto, but it cannot legally be over 45% of an Orvieto. With the varietal's star very definitely in the ascendant these days, monovarietal bottlings are becoming A Thing.
The winery is best known for its work with the newly rediscovered premium red Sagrantino variety, but Grechetto is also high on their list of specialties; they distinguish their monovarietal bottling with the designation "Grecante" (and please do not confuse this wine type with the Greco grape, which is another kettle of fish altogether). The alcohol level of the Arnaldo Caprai "Grecante" Grechetto is a brisk (for a white) 13½%.
Arnaldo Caprai "Grecante" Grechetto is reasonably available in the U.S., with retail prices running from about $13 up to $23 or so, and averaging $18.
Regrettably, our sample bottle was apparently too old (2009 vintage tasted in 2015) and had, either from sheer age or some cork defect, decidedly started to turn. Nonetheless, one could preceive a few things: a floral quality with definite "honeyed" overtones (probably accentuated by the oxidation), medium body, fair but not sharp acidity, and a light minerality.
We have to reserve final judgement, but our sense of it (till we can get hold of another bottle) is that this will be a rather pretty wine, a soft and rich wine for when something with sharp edges is not the wanted thing. Assuming a re-tasting validates that, we would say "Recommended".
On CellarTracker.
On Wine Searcher's Tasting Notes page.
Of some major wine-review sites:
(2012 vintage), 87 points:
The 2012 Colli Martani Grechetto Grecante offers great value. This is a terrific white wine that bursts forward with beautiful peach, exotic fruit, melon, dried grass and mineral overtones. It’s a delicious summer sipping option.
(2011 vintage), 90 points:
The 2011 Grechetto Grecante is a pretty wine that impresses for the length, minerality and focus. There is good depth and definition in the flavors, with plenty of yellow stone fruits, flowers and spices all woven together nicely. The creamy, expressive finish is graceful and inviting.
(2009 vintage), 88 points
The 2009 Grechetto is a soft, pleasing white laced with subtle white peach, mint, flowers and earthiness.
(2013 vintage), 88 points
(2012 vintage), 87 points
(2006 vintage), 87 points
(2003 vintage), 86 points
(2000 vintage), 84 points
(1999 vintage), 85 points
(1998 vintage), 87 points
(1993 vintage), 85 points
(2012 vintage), 89 points:
Pale straw. Apple, nectarine and lemony fresh herbs on the bright nose. On the palate, soft ripe apple and apricot flavors are lifted by accents of lime, citrus peel and white flowers. Bright, harmonious acidity contributes to an impression of elegance. This strikes me as one of the best, deepest Grecantes made to date by Caprai.
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This page was last modified on Monday, 9 December 2019, at 4:17 pm Pacific Time.