2022 Azienda Agricola Tenuta San Francesco Campo del Sogno Collezione Privata

Campania Rosso IGT – Tramonti, Costa d’Amalfi

90% Cabernet Franc | 10% Tintore

There are wines we taste professionally, and then there are wines that carry with them people, places and memories. Campo del Sogno 2022 belongs very much to the second category for me.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of visiting Tenuta San Francesco in Tramonti numerous times, walking these extraordinary vineyards and developing a personal relationship with the late Gaetano Bove and his family. Gaetano’s passion for his land, his wines and, above all, the preservation of Tramonti’s extraordinary viticultural heritage made every visit something more than a winery appointment. They became occasions for friendship, conversation and a deeper understanding of this remarkable corner of Campania. Tasting a wine from Tenuta San Francesco today inevitably brings back those memories.

Campo del Sogno 2022 is a particularly fascinating expression of the estate. It brings together Cabernet Franc and Tintore, two varieties with very different identities, yet here they find a compelling dialogue. The Cabernet Franc comes from the high-altitude Campo del Conservatorio vineyard at Pucara, while Tintore provides the unmistakable connection to the historic viticultural landscape of Tramonti.

Appearance: Deep, brilliant ruby with youthful violet reflections. Concentrated without appearing opaque, immediately suggesting both substance and vitality.

Nose: Initially restrained, then progressively expansive with aeration. Black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant and dark plum form the fruit core, followed by violet, dried Mediterranean herbs, graphite and sweet tobacco. Cabernet Franc contributes its characteristic herbal dimension—green pepper, mint and eucalyptus—but here it is integrated rather than dominant. With time in the glass, darker notes of cocoa, cedar, black pepper and earthy underbrush emerge.

Palate: Full-bodied and structured, yet remarkably energetic. The dark fruit is concentrated and succulent, supported by mature, finely integrated tannins and a vibrant acidic backbone. Cabernet Franc provides linearity, aromatic lift and elegance, while the Tintore seems to deepen the wine, contributing color, tension and a distinctly Campanian personality. The approximately two-year maturation in large casks gives polish and complexity without obscuring the fruit.

The mid-palate develops layers of blackberry, sour cherry, dried herbs, graphite and dark spice. There is considerable concentration, but the wine avoids heaviness; freshness remains one of its defining characteristics.

Finish: Long and persistent, with dark fruit gradually giving way to black pepper, herbs, subtle balsamic notes and a mineral, almost stony sensation. The tannins linger, but with refinement rather than aggression.

What I particularly appreciate about Campo del Sogno 2022 is that it does not attempt to make Cabernet Franc taste international. Instead, it allows the grape to become part of the landscape of Tramonti. The small contribution of Tintore acts almost like a territorial signature, connecting an internationally recognized variety to one of Campania’s most distinctive indigenous grapes.

At 13.5% alcohol, the wine achieves substantial structure without excessive warmth. It is already expressive with adequate aeration, but its acidity, tannic architecture and fruit concentration suggest considerable potential for further development in bottle.

Serving: 16–18°C. I would give it at least an hour of air at this stage.

Food pairing: Slow-cooked lamb, grilled or braised beef, wild boar, rich meat ragù, aged cheeses, or the deeply flavored traditional dishes of inland Campania.

Ultimately, however, this bottle means more to me than its technical qualities. It is a reminder of the many visits to Tenuta San Francesco, of the vineyards of Tramonti, of the Bove family, and especially of Gaetano Bove, whose warmth, generosity and commitment to his territory remain inseparable from my memories of this winery.

Some wines tell you where they come from. Others also remind you who was there along the way.

The Wine Voyager