ANSELMI CAPITEL FOSCARINO 2020

Anselmi is without a doubt the best winery in Soave – though are technically not part of Soave. Roberto Anselmi took over his father's estate in the 1970s and decided to shake up the wine world by making wines full of flavour – a factor that was, and still is, often lacking in most wines made of the Garganaga.

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The wine takes its name from the volcanic hill, atop which lies the Capitel Foscarino vineyard. Aromatic, with notes of banana, jasmine, chamomile, and mineral aromas. Fresh and savoury, with a hint of lime. The perfect pairing is with asparagus, especially the local white variety, but it also pairs beautifully with any seasonal vegetable-based first courses, grilled fish, and shellfish."

Reviews for other vintages below…

93/100 & Best Buy, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast (2022 Vintage)
"An icon of wine, this blend of 90% Garganega and 10% Chardonnay showcases the beauty of this slice of the Veneto. Aromas of ripe stone fruits, lemon oil, jasmine and sweet spice lead you into the glass. Rounded, but with an electric core, the palate shows tart apricot, dried yellow flowers, roasted nuts and a distinct and complex mineral structure that captivates the senses. Drink Now–2035."

94/100 Ken Gargett, WinePilot.com (2023 Vintage)
"Anselmi is one of the great names of Italian wine and for many of us, the leading producer of Soave (once upon a time). But note this – this is not that big average wine we all sloshed when backpacking through Italy as students. This is serious stuff – high quality wines which have helped to resurrect the reputation of the region (yes, you can still find those bog average wines if you are planning on backpacking there any time soon, but they will not have Anselmi on the label). Soave is made with the Garganega variety. All that said, Roberto Anselmi was dissatisfied with the progress being made with Soave by others from the region, so he dumped the name from the label and now works to raise the profile of the larger Veneto region. And he is doing just that. He was the first winemaker in Italy to use French oak for the fermentation and maturation of whites and makes his wines as vineyard offerings. With this wine, you will find that there is a dollop of Chardonnay included. Traditionalists might be horrified, but it does seem that the traditionalists are simply not making wines of this quality, so very few take any notice of them. This is a wine of energy and class. A pineapple yellow hue, the nose gives us spices, lemongrass, a flick of honeycomb and ginger, alongside stone fruits and a touch of nuttiness. Lifted, intriguing throughout, balanced, very long and yet seamless at all times. There is juicy acidity complimented by notes of apricot skins on the finish. For this quality, it is ridiculously cheap. Enjoy over at least the next six years."