Filippi Rocolo 2021

Name: Filippi Rocolo 2021
Brand: Cardwell Cellars
Price: 114.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

Visiting the charismatic Filippo Filippi at his Castelcerino estate is like entering a green oasis where time has stopped. It’s where his volcanic soils, organic farming and relaxed nature come together to produce white wines of textural completeness.

His farm sits at the highest point in Soave at the summit of Monte Calprea, an ancient volcano at some 400 metres. It’s no surprise that Filippi’s winemaking is based on simplicity and a holistic focus guided by vintage conditions. Grapes are harvested by hand and gently pressed. Fermentation happens by means of indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic conversion is allowed. Wines spend an extended time of up to 12 months in tank on fine lees with infrequent stirring to accentuate creamy richness. There is no oak used. The estate’s cellars are perfectly insulated by centuries old stonewalls. Wines are only lightly filtered and cold settling is used to clarify wines naturally. Sulphur additions if any are minimal and at bottling.

Fillipi wines capture the unadulterated expression of his vineyards and tell the story of old vine Garganega like no other. His vineyards are divided into distinct areas, defined by soil type and bottled accordingly. Simply put, Filippi wants the features of the soil to be felt in his wines.

The “Rocolo” vineyard is so called because on the crest of the mountain that overlooks it there is an old stone roccolo used until the last century by hunters because it is located in a strategic position between the two valleys (Val d’Alpone and Val Tramigna) through which migratory birds pass from the “bocara”.

The vineyard is located at 380 m above sea level and is composed of Garganega vines from massal selection, planted in 1960 with vines that are also 70 and 80 years old. It borders a forest of centuries-old oaks, which protects and embraces it. Exposure to the south-west. The soil is of volcanic origin, basaltic-clayey.

The best grapes were selected from the oldest vines on a sunny Sunday in October of inspiration with the help of friends and some willing guests. Soft pressing of the whole bunch, only one racking, bottled with a minimal addition of sulfur dioxide. It was bottled in September 2022. Only 1090 bottles produced.

- Importer