The pedigreed husband-and-wife team launch their 2018 release debuting new wine from a new vineyard with a new approach.
ST. HELENA, CA, August 24, 2020— Di Costanzo Wines, the two-person family project of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Erin and Massimo Di Costanzo, is releasing their Fall 2018 vintages on Tuesday, September 1st 2020. The team is proud to release a new vintage of their DI CO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the debut vintage of their Di Costanzo Caldwell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Coombsville.
“In 2018, our world came into alignment,” says Erin Di Costanzo. “We were prepared to make three wines for that vintage (DI CO, Farella and Montecillo) and had everything planned. But, life takes twists! John Caldwell messaged Massimo, offered him this coveted fruit from his legendary Coombsville estate and we couldn’t say no.” High on the hill in the southern rim of the appellation, cooled by the San Pablo Bay with a bird’s eye view of the valley, they knew that with this fruit they could produce a wine that helped to tell more stories about Coombsville and strengthen their foothold in the region. So in 2018, they made four wines, instead of three. (Farella and Montecillo will be in their Spring Release.)
Their 2018 vintage of DI CO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has its own bit of magic within it as well. At the dynamic intersection of the Mt. Veeder and Oak Knoll appellations, they source fruit from a single, temperate vineyard, which was planted over 30 years ago. To find hillside Cabernet Sauvignon vines of this health and age in Napa Valley is rare. “2018 has already been heralded as a special year for Napa Cabernet for its ideal ripeness and classic elegance.” Says Erin Di Costanzo. “Marrying that with Di Costanzo’s signature balance and energy, this wine remains a stellar bottling of which we are most proud.”
Both wines have already scored quite well on Antonio Galloni’s Vinous reviews with the 2018 DI CO getting 93-95 points and the 2018 Di Costanzo Caldwell getting 93-96 points. “Massimo Di Costanzo’s 2017s and 2018s are off the charts.” –Antonio Galloni
Members of their mailing list will have first dibs to purchase the wines online, as well as access to a special Sneak Preview Zoom tasting with winemaker Massimo Di Costanzo the eve of the release. To sign up for their mailing list, click here. In an effort to give back during these uncertain times, Di Costanzo has also committed to donate $5,000 from the proceeds of this release to World Central Kitchen and their #ChefsForAmerica program. “We hope that with this donation, we can do a small part to help Chef José Andres and WCK support independent restaurants and feed Americans who need assistance.” Says Erin Di Costanzo. “This donation will go specifically to WCK’s Relief Team of over 2400 restaurants in Oakland.”
TASTING NOTES
- 2018 DI CO Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
- 549 cases produced
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Source: Rafael Vineyard, Oak Knoll AVA, at the base of Mt. Veeder
- Hillside, sedimentary soils (shale, weathered sandstone)
- Average vine age: 35+ years
14.1% ABV - $65 SRP
DI CO remains a wine of stellar quality, made from start to finish to be a serious, collectable and energetic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Neither barrels that didn’t make the cut for a reserve project, nor bulk juice sourced for a side project. This is an intentionally and correctly made single vineyard, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Visually, DI CO paints the glass with a deep, velvet opacity. Brambly aromas soar from the glass, with blackberries and cacao beans adding layers of complexity. On the palate, the savory tannins are bold and framing, supporting a Cabernet Sauvignon which is satisfying and deeply dimensional. An age worthy wine, DI CO will be happy in your cellar for 10+ years, or upon release with a 1-2 hour decant.
2018 Di Costanzo Caldwell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville
- *Debut Vintage*
- 115 cases produced
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Source: Caldwell Vineyard, Coombsville AVA
- Hillside, volcanic soils
- Planted: 1984
- 14.1% ABV
- $105 SRP
In the glass, the Di Costanzo Caldwell Vineyard Cabernet displays a shimmering, crystalline, ruby color. This wine’s bright, aromatic freshness greets you immediately, with a dance of floral perfume, bitter orange, and abundant red fruit. It’s immediately recognizable as classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Crunchy cranberry and raspberry tea on the palate are supported by a warming kirsch note. Tannins are fine-grained. A pleasing pop of acidity delivers balancing succulence. Immediate pleasure awaits those who decant and drink in the short term. Collectors can enjoy extended cellaring for 15-20 years.
ABOUT DI COSTANZO
A native of Alaska with a deep passion for wine, Erin enjoyed great success as a sommelier in New York where she began a lifelong devotion to wine study and discovery. Erin furthered her wine career in St. Helena, California, where she met young winemaker Massimo Di Costanzo. A Berkeley native and UC Davis graduate, Massimo came to Napa Valley after apprenticing in wine regions all over the world. Though Napa Valley’s legacy was enticing, he was never able to find a wine that resonated with his personal tastes. As Assistant Winemaker at Screaming Eagle in 2006, tasting through their library, he discovered wines that embodied what he was looking for. Cabernet Sauvignons with balance, elegance, acidity, and a beautiful purity of fruit. That ignited a spark, and throughout his tenure at Screaming Eagle he paid homage to the house style but also formulated his own personal winemaking vision. There was room at the table for Cabernet Sauvignon that married an old school spirit and elegance with a fresh, energetic and nimble flavor profile. When he met Erin in 2009, he’d already laid the foundation for Di Costanzo Wines, but she helped him bring it to life. After just weeks of dating, they picked their first parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon together. Partners in wine and in life, they set off to start a winery with very little money and no vineyard land. Di Costanzo Wines began in earnest in 2010 with four barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Farella Vineyard in Coombsville, and over the years they have added other vineyard sites to their portfolio of wines. Di Costanzo remains a two person, family operation, from the vineyard to the cellar to your glass.
