Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together!
In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of
our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a
brief bio following the post.
2019 Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon
Toscana Indicazione Geografica Tipica
Italian red wine
Heartland Squamish Liquor Store
38241 Cleveland Avenue, Squamish BC
$41.79
Do you like the idea of a Super Tuscan without the price tag? Super Tuscans are high-quality Tuscan red wines that broke with traditional DOC/DOCG regulations by using international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Often aged in French barriques, these wines are known for their richness, structure, and strong aging potential, but can only be bottled under the IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) label. On the high end, a wine like Sassicaia or Tignanello can cost $200 to $500 a bottle.
Though pricey, these wines helped reshape Tuscan winemaking and paved the way for wines like Farnito, produced by the renowned Tuscan winery Carpineto. Founded in 1967, Carpineto has built an international reputation for both traditional Tuscan appellation wines and innovative offerings. The Farnito line reflects the estate’s modern approach, produced under the IGT designation. Through Farnito, Carpineto focuses on international varieties—particularly Cabernet Sauvignon—made with Tuscan structure, balance, and aging potential.
The 2019 vintage in Tuscany is widely considered exceptional. A relatively cool and dry growing season slowed ripening and preserved acidity, while a later harvest allowed grapes to reach full phenolic maturity (a stage where seeds, skins, and stem reach optimal ripeness). The resulting wines combine concentration with freshness, producing balanced, structured reds with strong aging potential.
The 2019 Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon showcases Carpineto’s polished style. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum are layered with cedar, tobacco, and hints of baking spice. The palate is full-bodied yet refined, with ripe tannins and lively acidity that give the wine structure and a long finish. The finish is persistent and elegant, suggesting both immediate enjoyment with decanting and the capacity for further development in the bottle.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master’s program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass