2022 Gianni Lonetti \”Juru\” Calabria IGT

The 2022 vintage was warmer, and you might notice more flesh to this iteration, than the lighter, perhaps more peppery 2021.

This bottling is 70% Gaglioppo and 30% Magliocco, native yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks, 3 day maceration, medium minus body, med+ acid, med+ tannin, black pepper, cherry, violet. The rosy/violet note gives the wine a refined note, but countered with the pepperiness of the Magliocco, it walks the line between rustic and elegant. Calabria like you\’ve never tasted before, a Cittavino guarantee.

Gianni Lonetti represents the second generation of the Ciro\’ Revolution. When I say generation I don\’t mean a wave of people, but perhaps two or three individuals- the rest still aren\’t convinced that Calabria holds any happiness for them. Gianni grows Gaglioppo and Magliocco grapes, varieties native to Ciro\’, Calabria in the town of Melissa. He, like most other vignaioli in the area, does not own an expansive stretch of vineyards, but rather small holdings along the coast and more inland in the mountains with his grapes along the coast always being the most pump and perfect.

Gianni\’s wines are microproduction status, which I classify as under 10,000 bottles annually (Gianni maxes out at about 2,000 right now). No chemical anything, in vineyards or the cellar, spontaneously fermented, and micro sulfur counts, under 30mg/L. The wines represent all that Cittavino & Co. is and were actually a major inspiration to the brand. Despite being unfiltered, no additive wines made with organic grapes, they are not part of the Natural Trend- they represent an entire lifestyle and purpose. They are true, real, expertly made wines based on lifeblood experience and an insistence on perfecting the craft. And you can taste it.