At a glance

Producer

Cecchetto

Region

Piave DOC, Veneto, Italy

Grape variety

Raboso

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$18-$25

Tasting profile

Intense sour cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate, herbal and spice notes, firm tannin backbone, lively acidity. Moderate oak influence if any.

Evolution: With 2-5 years aging, flavors will soften and tertiary notes (dried fruit, earth, tobacco) may develop. Acidity remains fresh but integrates.

At peak: Best balance of fruit and structure between 2025-2028; after 2028, fruit profile may start to fade but tannin and acidity will carry the wine for a graceful decline.

Structure

Acidity

High (Raboso’s hallmark trait)

Tannins

Firm, grippy, moderately high

Alcohol

Typically 12.5-13.5% ABV

Aging potential

Solid, up to 8-10 years from vintage in good conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2028

Optimal window

2024 to 2030

Current status

Youthful, primary flavors, but suitable for early enjoyment

Current condition

The wine displays vibrant fruit, marked acidity, and tannic structure suitable for short to moderate aging; will gain complexity over the next several years.

Raboso del Piave is prized for its acidity and tannins, allowing moderate cellaring. Cecchetto crafts structured, pure examples; the 2021 vintage is best enjoyed after a few years in bottle to integrate the tannins and express more subtle secondary notes, peaking 4-7 years after harvest.

Food pairing

Excellent with rich game (duck, rabbit), slow-braised beef, lamb, venison, aged Pecorino or Grana Padano, Venetian bigoli pasta with duck ragù, grilled sausages, and earthy mushroom dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decanting helps soften Raboso’s naturally assertive tannins and opens up the fruit and spice aromatics in this youthful vintage.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Cecchetto practices eco-conscious viticulture (integrated pest management, grassing between vine rows, low chemical inputs); focus on local biodiversity and water use reduction.

Cecchetto is known for stewardship of traditional Raboso and supports local biodiversity, avoids unnecessary chemical applications, and manages water responsibly. However, their vineyards are not certified organic or biodynamic, and no published carbon-neutral status exists. Packaging is mindful, but wider distribution/export increases total footprint. Overall, the producer embraces moderate to good sustainability, with ongoing improvements.