‘Testacoda’

Pinot Noir, Piemonte, Italy

Like dancin’ around town with your head popped off! Since 2013 Mario Siragusa has restored several abandoned vineyards and now has a collection of old local varieties which he assembles to create tiny quantities of wine in demijohns. ‘TestaCoda’ is made with purchased fruit from an organic grower (who also grows organic grapes for the likes of Jean-Yves Péron, Cascina Tavijn & Iuli) in a nearby valley to the South of Mario. These pinot noir (or pinot nero) grapes are grown on sandy soils that up the aromatic qualities and are left on skins for two months(!) to impart texture. The wine is then moved to glass demijohns to age for eight months and settle. Mario’s production is still minuscule compared to many others, but his clear approach and lively executions cannot be questioned. Cranberry handpies, bitter green peppercorn, salted plum, obsidian minerality & a structured finish the length of Swann's Way. Pour alongside hail storms & offal dishes.