Le Coste Rosso 2021

Le Coste was founded in 2004 by Gianmarco Antonuzzi and Clémentine Bouveron next to Lago di Bolsena in northern Lazio. They farm their vineyards without compromise to market pressures and make natural wines with minimal intervention. Le Coste Rosso is a field blend led by Sangiovese, with Ciliegiolo, Colorino and Canaiolo. The volcanic soils around the lake, rich in tuff and minerals, suit these central Italian varieties and lend the wine freshness and lift. The wine spends fifteen months in oak barrels, though the emphasis is on fruit and drinkability rather than wood, so the tannins stay light and the fruit stays bright. With low intervention and no heavy extraction, this is a supple, gulpable style rather than a structured one. The colour is bright ruby. The nose is fragrant, with red cherry, plum and wild Mediterranean herbs. The palate is light to medium bodied, the tannins soft, the acidity fresh and the finish savoury and clean. Serve lightly cooled at around 15 degrees. It is an easy table red for charcuterie, roast pork, poultry and tomato based pasta.