Ioppa Ghemme "Santa Fe" Piedmont, Italy
Introduction:
The 2017 Ioppa Ghemme “Santa Fe” is a meticulously crafted nebbiolo blend (85% nebbiolo, 15% vespolina) from a historic hilltop vineyard in Piedmont’s Ghemme DOCG. Matured for several years in large Slavonian oak casks, it offers an elegant yet grounded expression of Alto Piemonte’s unique terroir.
Terroir:
The Santa Fe vineyard, planted in 1969, sits atop clay-rich soils with considerable granite sand content, elevating finesse and minerality. The gentle south-west exposure and cold Alpine-influenced conditions of Ghemme lend clarity, structure, and expressive floral depth. Ioppa’s approach emphasizes soft extraction and extended aging in large foudres to preserve Nebbiolo’s ethereal qualities.
Tasting notes:
The 2017 Ioppa Ghemme "Santa Fe" is named after its source, a hilltop vineyard planted in 1969. Blended with 15% vespolina and aged for 36 months in large Savonian oak casks, it has aromas of violets, rose petals, and strawberries, with underlying mineral tones. The palate is medium-bodied and silky in texture, with flavors of red cherries laced with subtle accents of baking spices, white pepper, and savory herbs. The finish is long, with lingering echoes of red fruits and wet stone.
The 2017 Ioppa Ghemme "Santa Fe" is named after its source, a hilltop vineyard planted in 1969. Blended with 15% vespolina and aged for 36 months in large Savonian oak casks, it has aromas of violets, rose petals, and strawberries, with underlying mineral tones. The palate is medium-bodied and silky in texture, with flavors of red cherries laced with subtle accents of baking spices, white pepper, and savory herbs. The finish is long, with lingering echoes of red fruits and wet stone.
Press:
94 points, Vinous:
"The 2017 Ghemme Santa Fe is the most finessed of the three Ghemmes in the range. Lifted floral notes meld into a core of red-toned fruit. Suave and gentle, the 2017 has plenty of depth, but is also very refined. Hints of blood orange, white pepper, chalk, and mint brighten the silky finish. Ghemme is rarely this elegant." (11/23)
"The 2017 Ghemme Santa Fe is the most finessed of the three Ghemmes in the range. Lifted floral notes meld into a core of red-toned fruit. Suave and gentle, the 2017 has plenty of depth, but is also very refined. Hints of blood orange, white pepper, chalk, and mint brighten the silky finish. Ghemme is rarely this elegant." (11/23)
Overall Impression:
The 2017 Ioppa Ghemme “Santa Fe” is a beautifully aromatic and refined expression of Alto Piemonte nebbiolo. It strikes a rare balance between floral lift, fruit clarity, and structural precision—crafted for both appeal today and graceful evolution. The wine is drinking well now, with continued poise that makes it suitable for short- to medium-term cellaring.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 13%
Farming Practices: Organic, low-intervention viticulture
Producer Name: Azienda Agricola Ioppa
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Piedmont, Ghemme DOCG (Alto Piemonte)
Grape Varietals: Nebbiolo (85%), Vespolina (15%)
Vintage: 2017
Wine Style: Medium-bodied, elegant, youthful, with moderate aging potential (3–8 years)
Winemaking Techniques: Natural fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel (20–25 days), long maceration, aged 36–48 months in large Slavonian oak casks (25–30 hl), bottle-aged before release
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork
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