Drei Donna - Notturno, Predappio, Emilia Romagna, Italy (2020)

TASTING NOTES

A beautiful, rustic red. Lip-smacking high acidity with tomato leaf, cherries, red plum and mulberry. The palate is juicy, slightly earthy and chunky. Great trattoria style wine.

The Drei Donà Estate is nestled in the ancient Romagna hills between the towns of Forlì, Castrocaro and Predappio. This is the land where Sangiovese is born: this wine was produced here since Roman and Etruscan times. The farmhouse was built around a watch tower that Caterina Sforza erected in 1481 in this strategic position to defend her lands. The site itself is spectacular – a rounded slope set 500 feet above sea level. It has perfect southern exposure and the clay-calcareous soils that are considered ideal for the cultivation of fine wines.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the property has belonged to the Drei Donà counts and has always been dedicated to producing Sangiovese grapes. In 1980 Claudio Drei Donà, after acquiring a law degree and working in the insurance industry, quit his previous job and dedicated himself solely to the property. Altogether with his son Enrico he gave Tenuta La Palazza a radical transformation.

All the 23 hectars are run under organic agriculture and most of them are planted with Sangiovese grapes whose selection comes from careful research and restoration of our historic Sangiovese clones: hence are born the classic Predappio Doc “Notturno”, the Riserva “Vigna del Pruno” and, only in the best years, the exclusive “Graf Noir” today dedicated to our Founder.