Fabrizio Dionisio 2021 DOC Cortona Syrah ‘Linfa’
Tasting Note
This creation was a true labour of love for the ever-experimental and forward-thinking Fabrizio. Departing from traditional ageing methods like barrels or cement tanks, he was curious to explore how his Syrah might develop when aged in a different kind of vessel, one that harks back to ancient winemaking traditions.
After two to three years of trials, Fabrizio began vinifying small batches of his finest grapes, which would have otherwise contributed to our more complex wines such as Il Castagno or Cuculaia, in amphorae crafted from premium terracotta sourced from Impruneta and other Italian regions.Due to the rarity of these amphorae and the intricate winemaking process, this Syrah is produced in very limited quantities.
The results are remarkable—the 2021 Cortona Syrah Linfa is a rich and characterful wine brimming with raw concentrated fruit and spice, but that also has a wonderful salinity and minerality.
It presents a clear ruby hue, with aromas of withered violets, dark fruits like currants and blackberries, aromatic herbs such as thyme and bay leaves, along with notes of liquorice and gentle spice.
On the palate, the Linfa is vibrant, expressive, and bursting with fruit. It exudes a joyful character that is hard to articulate but unmistakably present. The terracotta ageing enhances the purity of the fruit, while the tannins are beautifully integrated, polished, and juicy. The wine is smooth, offering moderate alcoholic warmth, refreshing brightness, and a well-balanced, lengthy finish. This dense, rich Tuscan red boasts wonderful salinity and brightness, with the minerality of the soil shining through.
At a Glance
This creation was a true labour of love for the ever-experimental and forward-thinking Fabrizio. Departing from traditional ageing methods like barrels or cement tanks, he was curious to explore how his Syrah might develop when aged in a different kind of vessel, one that harks back to ancient winemaking traditions.
After two to three years of trials, Fabrizio began vinifying small batches of his finest grapes, which would have otherwise contributed to our more complex wines such as Il Castagno or Cuculaia, in amphorae crafted from premium terracotta sourced from Impruneta and other Italian regions.Due to the rarity of these amphorae and the intricate winemaking process, this Syrah is produced in very limited quantities.
The results are remarkable—the 2021 Cortona Syrah Linfa is a rich and characterful wine brimming with raw concentrated fruit and spice, but that also has a wonderful salinity and minerality.
It presents a clear ruby hue, with aromas of withered violets, dark fruits like currants and blackberries, aromatic herbs such as thyme and bay leaves, along with notes of liquorice and gentle spice.
On the palate, the Linfa is vibrant, expressive, and bursting with fruit. It exudes a joyful character that is hard to articulate but unmistakably present. The terracotta ageing enhances the purity of the fruit, while the tannins are beautifully integrated, polished, and juicy. The wine is smooth, offering moderate alcoholic warmth, refreshing brightness, and a well-balanced, lengthy finish. This dense, rich Tuscan red boasts wonderful salinity and brightness, with the minerality of the soil shining through.
