Cirò Rosso Classico (2014)

About this wine

Baroni Capoano’s Cirò Rosso Classico 2014 is built on Gaglioppo, the signature red grape of Cirò in Calabria, and it shows the grape’s classic mix of lifted red fruit and earthy spice. The nose opens with sour cherry, dried rose, and a touch of orange peel, then moves into brushy herbs and a faint hint of tobacco. On the palate, it feels energetic and savory rather than heavy, with red plum and cranberry leading the way. There is a gentle rustic edge here that suits the wine beautifully and gives it an old school southern Italian feel. Cirò has been tied to wine since the days of Magna Graecia, when local wines were linked to the ancient settlement of Krimisa, and that long history still seems to echo in bottles like this. What makes this wine so appealing is the way it stays vivid and honest, offering spice, herbs, and red fruit in a style that feels both sun drenched and refreshingly grounded.

About the grape

The Baroni Capoano Cirò Rosso Classico 2014 is made from 100% Gaglioppo, the red grape long associated with the Ionian hills of Calabria and with the Cirò appellation. Gaglioppo is a rustic variety that tolerates heat and drought, it ripens late so vineyards in Cirò are often trained and managed to control vigor and achieve even maturity on calcareous and stony soils. Modern research has debated a Greek origin but DNA work and regional history point to a deep Calabrian identity, and local producers have been working on clonal selection and certified material to improve sanitary status and consistency. In this bottling the grape is used as the single variety to express site specific traits of altitude and soil within the Cirò classico zone, relying on traditional local viticulture and careful canopy work to concentrate the grape character.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Cirò Rosso Classico Baroni Capoano is primarily made from the native Gaglioppo grape, the long-time signature variety of Cirò wines that links the bottle directly to Calabria’s winemaking identity.
• 🌊 The grapes for this Classico come from hillside vineyards overlooking the Ionian Sea, so each bottle carries a literal seaside terroir influence from sun and salt-scented breezes.
• 🏛️ Labeling it 'Classico' means the wine is from the historic, traditional plots immediately around Cirò and Cirò Marina, the birthplace of the region’s oldest commercial reds.
• 🕰️ The Capoano family presents a centuries-spanning story at the estate — their promotional material traces the family’s notability back over a thousand years, giving the bottle a strong sense of local heritage and lineage.
• 🍷 Baroni Capoano’s Cirò Rosso Classico is part of a small-production portfolio from a roughly 20-hectare estate, so bottles like the 2014 vintage are often seen as authentic, terroir-driven examples rather than mass-market fare.

Palate profile

Producer

Baroni Capoano is a historic winery located in Cirò Marina, Calabria, Italy, with roots tracing back over thirteen centuries. The Capoano family has a longstanding tradition in viticulture, producing wines that have been esteemed since ancient times. The estate spans approximately 20 hectares, featuring centuries-old olive groves and native vineyards cultivated in the traditional 'alberello' style, which contributes to the high quality of their wines. The winery's cellars are situated beneath the family mansion, with thick stone walls ensuring a constant, optimal temperature for wine aging. An interesting historical note is a letter from 1198, where Cardinal Pietro Capoano requested wine for the Pope, highlighting the family's deep connection to winemaking.