VINOUS MEDIA 96 POINTS - "The 2020 Carmignano Riserva Piaggia impresses with its understated power, lifting up with a delicate blend of dried roses and black cherries, complicated by cedary spice and hints of dark chocolate. This is pure elegance on the palate, seamlessly silky and soothing with depths of polished red and blue fruits that swirl, all energized by vibrant acidity. A web of fine tannins wraps the senses in youthful poise as the 2020 finishes impossibly long and staining, leaving notes of white pepper, licorice and violet inner florals to resonate. This is a dark and radiant beauty. The 2020 is a showstopper." - Eric Guido. Try from 2026.
"The Carmignano Riserva [from Piaggia] is simply the best of the appellation." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"If there is one estate that embodies the potential of Carmignano, Piaggia just might be it." - Antonio Galloni; Vinous
It needs to be mentioned that Carmignano is no newcomer; it's one of Tuscany's most historic wine appellations (but also one of its smallest). Tuscan legend has it that when Catherine de' Medici of Florence was to be married to King Henry II of France in 1533, they exchanged gifts-the Medici family gave the French forks (which were already widely used in Italy, but unknown in France); and the French gave the Medicis Cabernet Sauvignon vines, which were subsequently planted in their vineyards at Carmignano! Even at that time, though, the wines of Carmignano were already quite famous-documents going back all the way to the 14th century portray them as the most highly-prized and expensive wines in Florence. And it's no wonder. Protected from the cold of the north by the Apennines, and from the vagaries of coastal weather by the Montalbano hills, it's a perfect growing area for the Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc that contribute to the blends here.
The Carmignano Riserva is the flagship wine of the Piaggia winery, which is a fairly small family-run operation founded by Mauro Vannucci and now run by his daughter Silvia. The grapes are sourced exclusively from the family's 50-year-old vines in the 2.5 hectare Piaggia cru, with the final blend being 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (the Cabernet varieties come from cuttings at Chateau Lafite Rothschild). In line with the French influence, aging occurs in small French oak barrels for 18 months, with the great majority being previously used so as not to dominate the fruit. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, which keeps its complex character intact.
"The Carmignano Riserva [from Piaggia] is simply the best of the appellation." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"If there is one estate that embodies the potential of Carmignano, Piaggia just might be it." - Antonio Galloni; Vinous
It needs to be mentioned that Carmignano is no newcomer; it's one of Tuscany's most historic wine appellations (but also one of its smallest). Tuscan legend has it that when Catherine de' Medici of Florence was to be married to King Henry II of France in 1533, they exchanged gifts-the Medici family gave the French forks (which were already widely used in Italy, but unknown in France); and the French gave the Medicis Cabernet Sauvignon vines, which were subsequently planted in their vineyards at Carmignano! Even at that time, though, the wines of Carmignano were already quite famous-documents going back all the way to the 14th century portray them as the most highly-prized and expensive wines in Florence. And it's no wonder. Protected from the cold of the north by the Apennines, and from the vagaries of coastal weather by the Montalbano hills, it's a perfect growing area for the Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc that contribute to the blends here.
The Carmignano Riserva is the flagship wine of the Piaggia winery, which is a fairly small family-run operation founded by Mauro Vannucci and now run by his daughter Silvia. The grapes are sourced exclusively from the family's 50-year-old vines in the 2.5 hectare Piaggia cru, with the final blend being 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (the Cabernet varieties come from cuttings at Chateau Lafite Rothschild). In line with the French influence, aging occurs in small French oak barrels for 18 months, with the great majority being previously used so as not to dominate the fruit. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, which keeps its complex character intact.
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