2018 Magari Ca'Marcanda
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Magari is quite deceptive in its first impression. Translucent and medium in body, Magari opens to reveal lovely brightness and persistence that gives the wine shape. Sweet dark berry fruit, spice, tobacco, cedar and licorice are nicely woven throughout. Quite simply, the 2018 Magari is one of the classiest wines I can remember tasting from Ca’ Marcanda. It is not an obvious wine, but it sure is enticing.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
More herbal notes of blackcurrants, green tobacco, cedar, and graphite emerge from the 2018 Magari, a Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot blend brought up in French oak. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and downright seamless on the palate, this beauty is another Bordeaux look-alike with incredible class. It has some upfront appeal, with supple tannins and plenty of fruit, yet it's going to age gracefully for 15-20 years on its balance.
A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Magari shows grace and a slightly lighter style that works very nicely. With the recent releases from Bolgheri, many from the hot and concentrated 2017 vintage, this 2018 alternative comes as an elegant surprise. You can appreciate the purity of the fruit, with dark cherry and plum, and the acidity that pops up on the finish. This is almost a full-bodied red, but not quite. It holds back just a hair, and that more careful approach goes a long way to the pleasure factor.
About the producer
Gaja has been at the forefront of the Piedmont wine scene for many years and is Barbaresco’s most decorated producer. The winery has received a record number of Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri awards – the highest accolade from Italy’s leading wine publication.