Bibi Graetz - Casamatta Bianco2020

WHITE WINE

Description

In Italian, the literal translation of Casamatta is "crazy house". This moniker, self-proclaimed by artistic winemaker, Bibi Graetz, himself is an homage to his home. This fantastic place serves as home, winery, and art studio complete with kids, farm animals, and colorfully painted canvasses alongside grapes, barrels, and winemaking equipment - hence, Casamatta is a place where chaos meets fun, love, and creativity. It is here, in this place, where Bibi lives and pursues his passion for creating superb and artful wines including this delightfully fresh and aromatic Bianco.

Estate

From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.

Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.

Tasting notes

This blend comprised of Vermentino, Trebbiano, and Moscato is fresh and aromatic with hints of green apple and florals. Selected from 15 year old vines trained in the Guyot and Spurred Cordon method. Aged only in stainless steel tanks. Bright, fruity aromas of lemon zest and green apple. The Vermentino brings clean, fresh acidity with structure; Moscato adds floral notes; and Trebbiano balances and smooths this wine giving way to a medium-bodied mouthfeel.

Vinification

Casamatta Bianco is produced from vineyards between Capalbio and Argenatrio, on the southern Tuscan coast. The grapes are hand-picked and fermented in stainless steel tanks, destemmed and soft pressed with dry ice. The fermentation is done at a very low temperature to keep the freshness of the wines and last 2 weeks. The blended wines will age 3 months in tanks before being bottled.

Vintage

A balanced vintage in line with some of the best harvests we had in the last years. Mild and temperate winter followed by a colder than usual spring. The summer season was hot, very dry and stable. These factors allowed us to have very healthy grapes with a nice level of acidity and sugar. The harvest started later than usual and lasted till the late mid of October.