Rusticone, Le Coste 2017

Gianmarco Antonuzzi and Clémentine Bouveron tend around 14 hectares of land, with vineyards amongst olive groves, chestnut trees, shrubs and oaks. Sat around Lago di Bolsena near Gianmarco’s childhood town of Gradoli in Lazio’s north, the soils are volcanic, rich in iron and minerals. Vines are planted at a density of up to 10,000 plants per hectare, from a mix of massale selections and ungrafted vines. Everything is done by hand, with careful attention to the needs of each plant and while biodynamic principles are employed, the approach here goes above and beyond.

Each year they produce a dizzying number of different wines which are vinified in an ancient cellar in the village’s centre where nothing is added at any stage. To taste here is a real treat, Gianmarco is a master of élevage and a real patience in this respect results in some of the purest, most delicious wines we have tried. This is a fascinating project, where the passion and dedication of two people is single handedly putting one of Italy’s lesser known villages firmly on the map.

This is just the second time they have made this wine, an assemblage of grapes both white and red from various parcels young and old. The hot, dry vintage left the two with pressings that were uncommonly tannic, but through skilful blending and gentle ageing, they have managed to produce a lively, earthy red wine that is full of charm. 

Producer  Le Coste

Origin Gradoli, Lazio, Italy

Grapes Field blend

Vintage 2017

Alcohol 12.5% ABV

Style Light body natural red

Bottle size 750ml 

Winemaking Manual harvested, lightly macerated on skins, fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel. Unfiltred and unfined. No added sulphites.

Notes  Natural, Organic