Catabbo Tintilia del Molise 2019
It’s an impenetrable ruby red color that greets us, with a pale purple reflections. The nose is initially shy even though it reveals distinctly red berries combined with nutmeg. Allowing it to rest for a while, the oxygen will make it more available to the contact: this wine gives a mint, and a balsa wood to appreciate slowly, surrounded by violet petals. To the mouth softness and warmth lie at every corner of the palate, showing a well-directed tannin combined with a fair dose of freshness. Memories of plum jam, vanilla, sweet tobacco and chocolate emerge, whose elegant assembly would not abandon your mouth whether you wanted it or not.
Legend has it that the name “Tintilia” may derive from the Molisani dialect word “Tenta” or “Tintiglia,” referring to the grape’s tendency to dye garments a deep red hue. Despite speculation linking it to the Sardinian variety “Bovale Sardo,” genetic analysis revealed distinct differences between Tintilia and Bovale Sardo or Bovale Grande, dispelling any synonymy. Another tale traces Tintilia’s origins to a love story involving the son of Count Carafa of Ferrazzano, who planted vineyards in memory of his deceased wife after serving wine from her Spanish homeland at their wedding. Rediscovering Tintilia, Vincenzo Catabbo endeavored to reintroduce it to his vineyards, dedicating meticulous attention to its cultivation across 10 hectares. Through microvinification and careful study, “Tintilia Catabbo” has emerged as a distinctive and esteemed wine, finding its place of honor among Catabbo’s wine production.
How is the wine made?
Type of fermentation vats: steel
Fermentation temperature: 25-28° C
Duration of fermentation: 15-20 gg
Ageing: French barriques for 14 months.
About the winery
Catabbo winery was created by Vincenzo’s intuition, who at the time, in the ‘90s, was engaged in the wholesale trade of cereals and grain; a job which led him to travel a lot, both in Italy and abroad, and to experience different realities. On a day like any other, he found himself talking to an elderly peasant, who jealously guarded a few maps of the rare Tintilia grape! An ancient indigenous grape, who until 1800 was one of the pillars of Molise Region, but f rom the first post-war period witnessed a sudden disappearance. It was in 1997 when for fun, ½ hectares were planted in San Martino in Pensilis, which gave the start to the winery.
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