CENERENTOLA CHARMS CANADA
91, 93, 93, and 94/100 FOR THE 2019 CENERENTOLA ORCIA DOC FROM FOUR SUPER CANADIAN TASTERS WHO ARE IN LOVE WITH THIS WINE’S DIVERSITY AND LENGTH
Orcia Doc 2019 Cenerentola Donatella Cinelli Colombini
By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino
The most cautious opinion comes from Michael Godel, a great connoisseur of Brunello and Tuscan winemaking in general, who tasted the 2019 Orcia Doc Cenerentola in November 2024 when it was “better to continue waiting” as he himself wrote.
ORCIA DOC, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WINE IN THE WORLD
The other tastings were conducted in March 2026, and the score rises to 93-94 points. David Lawrason has words of high praise: “The nose is extraordinary, very expressive, with complexity from maturation and a mix of red and black fruits… It’s full-bodied, with pronounced acidity and a notable warmth from the 15% alcohol. The tannins are quite firm and drying, but not green. The length is excellent, verging on exceptional.”
Wow, what a beautiful comment.
Sara d’Amato—an ecologist, writer, and highly experienced sommelier—also delivers a thrilling description. “The result is elegant and generous, both in aromas and on the palate. The oak is expertly integrated, allowing fruit and spice to unfold harmoniously. The tannins are ripe and enveloping, in line with the growing sensation of warmth provided by the 15% alcohol in the finish, which offers excellent length.”
The 94/100 rating comes from John Szabo, Canada’s first Master Sommelier and author of the book Volcanic Wines, which helped the world rediscover the uniqueness and charm of wines born near smoking mountains.
Regarding Cenerentola, he writes, “2019 is a spectacular vintage, and the wine’s class emerges here with an almost perfect balance, now beautifully harmonized.”
He also notes the “excellent length” of the Orca DOC Cenerentola, a character that seems to have impressed all tasters.
THE IMPORTANCE OF APPEARING NEW: A LITTLE-KNOWN APPELLATION AND GRAPE VARIETY
Other elements that fascinate the four experts are the diversity of the Orcia terroir and the Foglia Tonda grape variety.
“Orcia DOC is a relatively young appellation in Tuscany, with only 26 years of history, nestled between its more famous neighbors, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Hence the wine’s name, “Cenerentola,” the neglected sister hoping to attract some attention,” explains Sara D’Amato.
While Michael Godel writes of the ancient Foglia Tonda grape variety, “Without Donatella and her team, this grape variety would likely have disappeared.”