Pieropan 'La Rocca' Soave Classico 2021
Grapes for the Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico are sourced from the vineyard of 'La Rocca', which takes its name from the adjacent medieval castle and fortress ("La Rocca") that dominated the town of Soave, just east of Verona. The soil in La Rocca is unique in Soave in that it is a limestone outcrop (the same soil as in Valpolicella Classico) in a sea of basalt. Because of this soil, the Pieropan family feel they get sufficient ripeness in the Garganega grape to make a wine solely from this variety. After gentle, whole-bunch pressing using a nitrogen press, there was a short period of maceration on the skins followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks and 500 litre oak casks. 60% of the wine remained in 500-litre oak casks while the remaining 40% was aged in 2,000 litre 'botti' or large barrels for one year. The final blend was then aged for four months in bottle before release. Pieropan's 'La Rocca' Soave Classico is golden yellow in the glass, with intense, concentrated perfume that follow through to the palate. On the nose, classic La Rocca aromas of nuts and exotic fruits lead to an elegant and beautifully balanced palate, with notes of spice and a long finish.
