Acetaia La Bonissima – Sigillo Platino (Riserva)

Tasting Notes of the Curator

Patiently matured in a sequence of wooden barrels, Sigillo Platino develops a naturally velvety texture that moves with the grace of something time has shaped carefully. The cooked grape must thickens through five slow years of evaporation and concentration, settling into a glossy, near-black liquid that is dense yet luminous, like polished mahogany catching light.

The aroma reveals layers of cooked must, wood resin, dark fruit, and a gentle wisp of smoke absorbed from oak casks. On the palate, sweetness arrives first—rounded and elegant—followed by acidity that rises softly and never intrudes. Notes of raisin, plum, tobacco, and warm wood weave through each sip. The vinegar’s balance is striking: rich but not heavy, fresh without sharpness, patient yet vibrant.

This Riserva stands as a testament to generational craft. Every drop reflects the soul of Modena and the mastery of a family who understands that true balsamic is not rushed—it is earned, season after season. Sigillo Platino elevates a dish with restraint, transforming simple ingredients into something memorable.

Pairings and Suggestions

Use Sigillo Platino with intention. It is a finishing touch that brings harmony, not heat—best added when the dish is ready, so its sweetness and acidity remain intact.

Beautiful with:

• Parmigiano Reggiano or aged Grana Padano — salt crystals softened by velvety sweetness
• Roast pork belly or seared duck breast — its quiet acidity cuts through richness gracefully
• Grilled eggplant, zucchini, or radicchio — a few drops sharpen the charred edges
• Tomatoes and burrata — purity heightened by maturity
• Strawberries or vanilla gelato — dessert with depth
• Bitter green salads — an elegant alternative to citrus

Think of it as punctuation—just enough to complete the sentence.

A Barrel-House Tale from the Vinegar Cellar

In the foothills of Modena, Acetaia La Bonissima keeps a craft built on patience. Before the modern cellar existed, the family stored barrels of cooked must in their attic, where hot summers and cool winters slowly transformed grape juice into dense, aromatic vinegar. The method holds true today: cooked must is transferred from barrel to barrel, evaporating, concentrating, becoming something elemental.

Inside the acetaia, light streams across old oak barrels, each one holding its own microcosm of flavor. Only the batches that surpass five years with both richness and clarity earn the Sigillo Platino seal. In a quiet corner rests a bottle from the 1960s—its label curled and browned with age—a reminder that La Bonissima is not a factory, but a house of waiting.

Every bottle of Sigillo Platino carries this legacy: the slow breathing of seasons, the memory of wood, the discipline of time, and the artistry of a family who has never traded tradition for speed.

Storage Instructions

Store tightly sealed at room temperature, away from heat or direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate. Its natural acidity keeps it stable for years once opened. A clean pour spout or cork will protect its nuance and depth.