2023 Anselmi Realda

The Anselmi background makes for quite the story, involving a divorce from the Veneto’s Soave appellation and Roberto Anselmi striking out on his own in 2000 with his own criteria for quality. One taste of the Realda, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s clear this wine offers a taste of class and further promise with ageing. This is a well-crafted Cabernet with impressive poise from the outset hosting a wealth of ripe blackberry, cassis, dark roasting herbs, leaf, earth, chocolate and some nicely integrated vanillin oak. The palate is both lightly savoury and elegantly shaped, built on fine-cut tannins. A lifted thread of bay leaf and wild mint makes for a lovely lasting memory. Cellar worthy.

Most consumers think of white wines when they think Anselmi but this fine Cabernet Sauvignon proves that they have more than a single string to their bow. The wine spent a year and a half in French oak barriques. Under Diam. A dark crimson hue, the nose exhibits notes of cherries and plums, graphite, blackberries, crushed herbs, bay leaves and licorice, with hints of delicatessen meats. The wine lifts even further on the palate and is full of promise. A line of juicy acidity runs the length and there is focus and energy here. A lingering finish with sleek tannins completes a very fine Italian red. Enjoy over the next six to eight years.