2018 Bastianich - Calabrone Rosso IGT (750ml)

Bastianich was founded by chef and television personality Lidia Bastianich, along with her son Joe Bastianich, both known for championing Italian food and wine culture on the world stage. The winery is rooted in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, where the family works to highlight native Friulian grape varieties alongside select international ones. Calabrone stands as one of the estate's most ambitious labels, built from a careful selection of grapes meant to showcase both structure and complexity.

Calabrone is a blend led by Refosco, joined by Schioppettino, Pignolo, and Merlot, all grown within the Colli Orientali del Friuli. A portion of the grapes undergoes appassimento, a partial drying process that concentrates their flavors and softens the resulting tannins. Following fermentation, the wine spends eighteen months aging in small French oak barrels, then rests in bottle for another eighteen months before release, a lengthy process that shapes its depth and warmth.

The wine shows a deep, almost inky red color, opening onto a nose of ripe dark fruit, licorice, sweet spices, and chocolate, with hints of tobacco and espresso layered underneath. On the palate, it turns full bodied and warm, supported by considerable structure and fine grained tannins that carry through a long, balsamic finish. Its richness suits robust fare, pairing naturally with game, braised red meat, or well aged cheeses.