Levi Serafino Grappa Aquavite di Vinacce 2003 Romano Levi - Unique bottle 3 - 70 cl 50%

Some grappa bottles tell a story before a single glass is poured. This one carries a small red heart drawn by Romano Levi's own hand, and a year that marks one of his last decades at the alembic in Neive.

Expert description

Levi Serafino Grappa Aquavite di Vinacce 2003 is an Italian Grappa at 50% ABV, distilled and bottled by Romano Levi at Distilleria Levi Serafino in Neive, Piedmont, in 2003.

The term 'acquavite di vinaccia' is the older, formal Italian name for grappa and was still used on several of Romano Levi's labels well into his career. Bottles from this period typically carried a printed front label bearing the distillery's emblem alongside a handwritten back label, often marked with a small red heart and Romano's own signature and vintage year.

Romano Levi ran the distillery from 1945, when he took over at just 17 following his father's death, until his own death in 2008. He distilled using a direct-fire alembic and was nicknamed the 'angelic grappa maker' by the Italian wine critic Luigi Veronelli. Today the distillery continues on a limited scale under new ownership, while bottles like this one from Romano's own production era are sold with a certificate of authenticity.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is rustic and direct, with notes of pressed grapes, wet stone and a hint of herbs from the Langhe hills where the pomace originates.

Palate

The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with a lightly scorched caramel note from the direct-fire distillation, balanced by a tart freshness from the grape seeds.

Finish

The finish is long, dry and faintly peppery, with a lingering warmth typical of older, unfiltered grappas from this part of Piedmont.

Specifications

Name: Levi Serafino Grappa Aquavite di Vinacce 2003 Romano Levi - Unika flaske 3
Distillery: Levi Serafino
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 cl
Distillation method: Direct-fire alembic
Bottled: 2003
Serving suggestion: Serve at room temperature in a narrow grappa glass to close a meal.

Flavour profile

Pressed grape · Wet stone · Caramel · Pepper · Dry warmth

Investment potential

Like the distillery's other historic bottles, this vintage also belongs to an era that cannot be recreated, since Romano Levi personally handled both distillation and labelling until his death in 2008. The limited and dwindling number of surviving bottles makes them attractive to collectors of Italian spirits history.

Did you know?

The front label carries an old coat of arms with a white cross and two lions - a motif Romano Levi used on several of his printed labels from the 2000s, before returning to purely handwritten versions.

Frequently asked questions about Levi Serafino Grappa Aquavite di Vinacce 2003 Romano Levi

Is a 2003 Levi Serafino bottle worth seeking out?

The bottle dates from a period in Romano Levi's career when he still personally handled both distillation and labelling. That historical and artisanal value makes it more than an ordinary grappa.

What does 'acquavite di vinaccia' mean?

It is the older, formal Italian term for grappa - a spirit distilled from the pressed grape pomace left over from winemaking.

Why does the bottle have both a printed and a handwritten label?

During this period Romano Levi combined a printed front label bearing the distillery's emblem with a personally handwritten back label, often marked with a small red heart and his signature.

How should the bottle be stored?

Best kept upright, cool and dark, so both the contents and the original labels are preserved as well as possible.

Was the grappa filtered?

Romano Levi worked according to traditional, unmodernised methods without the fine filtration often seen among industrial producers.

Can the distillery in Neive still be visited?

Yes, the distillery continues to operate on a limited scale and can be visited in Neive, where a museum dedicated to Romano Levi can also be found.