Ippolito 1845 Calabrise 2024
A smooth and silky red wine from the Calabrese variety with complex notes of ripe red fruits, black cherry, plum and a touch of black pepper. Juicy and fresh, with a generously fruity finish.
This wine is made of Calabrese, an ancient Calabrian grape variety grown in a small vineyard in the Mancuso estate. This early-ripening variety is often ready to be picked by the second or third week in August, it has small, dark bunches, and is characterised by a low tannin content. The vineyard covers five hectares of espalier trained vines, which are planted at a density of 5,600 vines per hectare and are pruned according to the horizontal spurred cordon. The average yield is low; the vines produce grapes with concentrated juice. The soil composition is clay and limestone, a cooling soil which imparts freshness and elegance to the wine. The vines are cultivated organically with copper, sulphur and bacillus, rather than chemical sprays and mechanical weeding takes place to prevent soil erosion and to protect the biodiversity of the vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness.
The grapes were carefully selected, followed by a long maceration on the skins in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to extract the varietal flavours, aromas and delicate tannins. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts, followed by gentle pressing and the wine was then aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks. This wine was made without the influence of oak, to preserve the purity of fruit.
With over 170 years of history, Ippolito is the oldest winery in Calabria. Located in the historic centre of Cirò Marina, the heart of Calabrian viticulture, the farm comprises a 100-hectare agricultural estate near the Ionian Sea. Winemakers for five generations, the Ippolito family values its heritage and follows a sustainable philosophy to protect the terroir, enhance the native vines and preserve the ecosystem. Balancing a traditional approach with investment in research in the vineyard and the cellar, they strive to create wines of elegance, exclusivity and identity. The Ippolito family are passionate about preserving the extraordinary heritage of the region, they only cultivate native vines such as Gaglioppo and Greco Bianco, and for the past 15 years have been engaged in a research project on native vines.
