“…..a wild and magnetic place, an immaculate and exciting landscape, the land that we have chosen for our vineyard and that we cultivate to create handcrafted, original and exclusive wines….”
The Due Mani winery is located in Riparbella Tuscany, south of Lucca and close to the Mediterranean Sea. This organic and bio-dynamic vineyard was born in 2000 from the collaboration of winemaker Luca d’Attoma and his wife Elena Celli. Together their “Due Mani” (Two Hands) make wine from classic Bordeaux varietals which find a natural home near the Tuscan coast.
The estate’s seven hectares of vineyards are located about 2-3 miles inland and lie just north of the official Bolgheri DOC, thus bearing the general designation “Costa Toscana”. There’s a slight valley to the topography here and the vines benefit from the gentle winds that waft through the valley, bringing night time temperatures down and preserving the acidity and aromatic complexity in the grapes.
Much of Due Mani’s focus is on Cabernet Franc. The estate’s flagship wine, also called “DueMani”, is 100% Cabernet Franc; a varietal d’Attoma has long experience with after crafting Le Macchiole’s amazing Paleo.
Today, we’re focusing on his other Cabernet Franc wine, cleverly titled “Altrovino” – the “Other Wine”. The 2013 Due Mani Altrovino is a blend of Cabernet Franc (50%) and Merlot (50%). Certified organic, the wine is vinified in cement vats and then barrel aged in conical French vats for 8-10 months.
We decanted the wine for 30 minutes before dinner to allow some of the Cabernet Franc aromatic elements from the varietal that I love to develop. In the glass, the wine is a medium to dark purple throughout. Very attractive to look at. Aromas of pine needles, bell peppers, black plum and flowers are intriguing but a bit too “vegetal” in profile for my liking.
On the palate, the green flavors persist with peppers and eucalyptus joining the soft plum notes and hints of rosemary and spice. Medium bodied with finely knit tannins, this is approachable and does not need any extending aging. I’m not sure holding this would be beneficial anyway. I was disappointed here, in both the flavors of the wine and the value. $37. 86 points.
On the palate, the green flavors persist with peppers and eucalyptus joining the soft plum notes and hints of rosemary and spice. Medium bodied with finely knit tannins, this is approachable and does not need any extending aging. I’m not sure holding this would be beneficial anyway. I was disappointed here, in both the flavors of the wine and the value. $37. 86 points.
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| ~ The 2013 Altrovino is an easy pass for me. And did I mention how ugly the label is? ~ |
E vero!
John: Ha, ha, the label is worse than Luce, but equivalent to the Wrongo Dongo 2008 Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, which I gave a similar score. 😉
My review is fair, but measured. I wouldn't buy this again without the opportunity to try it first.