In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black plum, leather, tobacco, dried herbs, graphite

Palate: dark cherry, iron mineral, firm grainy tannin, long finish

Indigenous Pignolo from the family's Rocca Bernarda holdings, aged 36 months in barrique. Black plum and leather over the variety's signature firm grainy tannin.

What it pairs with

  • Brasato al Pignolo
    Beef braised in the regional red wine finds its match in the wine's firm tannin and iron mineral; classic Friulian winter pairing.
  • Wild boar pappardelle
    Gamey ragù meets the wine's leather and tobacco depth; firm tannin handles the boar fat.
  • Aged Montasio stravecchio
    The 24-month Friulian cow cheese echoes the wine's graphite finish; firm tannin scrubs the cheese fat.

History

Le Vigne di Zamò's Pignolo from the family's Rocca Bernarda holdings. Pignolo (literally fussy in Italian, a nod to the variety's low yields) was rescued from near-extinction in the 1980s and 90s.

  1. 1998 — First Le Vigne di Zamo Pignolo vintage

Facts

Producer
Le Vigne di Zamò
Grapes
Pignolo (100%)
Classification
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali
Oak
Aged around 36 months in French oak barriques (around 50 percent new); 12 months in bottle before release
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 50 to 80 at retail
Drinking window
5-20 from vintage
First vintage
1998
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Le Vigne di Zamò Pignolo

What does Le Vigne di Zamò Pignolo taste like?

Black plum, leather, tobacco, dried herbs and graphite on the nose; dark cherry, iron mineral, firm grainy tannin and a long finish on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannin and high acidity from 36 months in barrique.

What is Pignolo?

Pignolo is the indigenous Friulian red grape, named for its low-yielding fussy character. Almost extinct in the 1970s, the grape was revived from the 1980s onwards and is now one of the signature Colli Orientali reds.

When should I drink Le Vigne di Zamo Pignolo?

Drink between 5 and 20 years from vintage. The wine cellars patiently; leather and tobacco aromatics deepen from year 10 onwards.

Tags

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