Country: | Italy |
Region: | Tuscany |
Winery: | Tenuta Vitanza |
Grape Types: | Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Sangiovese |
Vintage: | 2011 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Castello Di Fonterutoli Toscana Mazzei Mix 36 is made from 100 percent 100% Sangiovese.
Castello di Fonterutoli, source of some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, is an historic property embracing an entire tranquil, centuries-old hamlet just south of Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has been in the hands of the Mazzei family for 26 generations. The Mazzei’s have been producing wine at Castello di Fonterutoli since 1435. This dynamic family has carefully safeguarded the inherent beauty and rich heritage of Fonterutoli, while simultaneously implementing measures to ensure cutting-edge quality in the vineyards and cellars.
At Fonterutoli, there are 36 Sangiovese biotypes grown, including 18 massal selections exclusive to the estate. To preserve the unique qualities of each type, the Mazzei family micro-vinifies each separately, then blends them into their Mix 36 cuvée, an arduous, technically challenging process that produces breathtaking results.
TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES
The Mazzei’s believe the name “Fonterutoli” derives from Latin origin, ‘Fons Rutolae’ or ‘Fons Rutilant,’ meaning clear spring. The area was chosen by the Etruscans to build villages near the water springs. An incredibly diverse area, Fonterutoli covers five main vineyard sites of different terroirs: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Le Ripe, Caggio and Belvedere.
Sangiovese finds itself particularly at home in these areas, which are planted at altitudes varying between 750 and 1,800 feet above sea level, at south and southwest exposure. The rocky limestone and sandstone soil structure, high density planting ( avg. 7,000 plants per hectare) and low yields of less than 40 hectoliters per hectare result in the production of complex, elegant and powerful wines.
WINEMAKING
A mix of 36 distinct Sangiovese biotypes. Grapes were hand harvested beginning of October, then fermented in temperature-controlled tanks at 79-82˚F. The wine underwent 15 days of maceration.
AGEING
Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels (500lt), then placed in concrete tanks for a final 4 months. The wine is bottle aged for 11 months before release.
TASTING NOTES
The wine takes on a deep ruby color. On the nose, complex aromas of fresh red berries. On the palate, extremely elegant with red fruit notes and a persistent finish.
Review:
A red that is extremely polished and refined with blackberry and cherry character. Hints of cedar and dried flowers. Medium body. Juicy fruit. Hard not to drink this now but better in 2019. - James Suckling 94 Points
Aromas recall scorched earth, underbrush, stewed prune and coconut. Oak spices, vanilla and coffee dominate the warm palate. It lacks fruit richness and can’t stand up to the assertive tannins or the heat of evident alcohol.
Review:
"The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the nicest wine presented by Tenuta Vitanza this year. This expression definitely shows its oaky side but that new oak style (French tonneaux primarily) is characteristic of this estate located in the Torrenieri subzone that makes some of the darkest and most extracted expressions of Brunello regardless. Dark fruit, prune, plum, cherry, spice, cedar, cardamon and grilled herb all compete for your attention. The ensemble is bold, opulent and rich in a way that most other Brunello wines are not. There is a note of sourness on the tannins. Every once in a while you need a supersized Brunello to pair with that T-bone steak you crave. — Monica Larner"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 217, February 2015), 90 pts
Vitanza Quadrimendo is made from 50% Sangiovese Grosso, and 50% Merlot
This wine is flavorful and complex with a good backbone of acid and tannin.
Deep red ruby color. Intense aromas with characteristic peppery notes. Dry, tannic and powerful but with a smooth body.
Total aging time was 12 months in French oak, and 12 months bottle refinement.
"Plenty of spice, chili and berry character with hints of cedar and dried mushrooms. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. A blend of sangiovese and merlot. Drink now or hold."
- Jamessuckling.com (August 2015), 92 pts
Codirosso Chianti is made from 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino.
Vinification: fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperatures for 7 to 8 days with an additional 7 to 8 days on the skins. The juice is pumped over daily for 10 days at the beginning of the fermentation. The wine is then racked and goes through malolactic.
Ruby red color with purple reflections. Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit.The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.
Food pairing: grilled, braised or roasted meats
Rinaldi Rose Moscato Pink Bug Juice NV is made from Moscato d'Asti 90%, Brachetto d’Acqui 10%
Alcohol by Volume: 7%
Zone de Production: Ricaldone’s territory on the hills called ‘Bricco Rioglio’ and ‘Valmorana’,and Celle. Average altitude 280 m above sea level, calcareous soil with tufa layers.
Training System: guyot with a cultivation density of about 3000 vines per hectare.
Vinification: manual harvest into crates, usually at the first week of September. Temperature controlled maceration for about 24 hours with mechanic plunging of the cap and pumping over to extract a slight rosé color from the skins. Soft pressing. Settling in steel vats to have a natural clearing of musts. Further temperature and pressure controlled fermentation.
Sensorial Description: this wine, with light rosé color, strikes for its scent of spices and fruits. Its acid freshness suits its sweetness and offers a well balanced wine.
Serving Suggestions: aperitif wine, fruit cakes, fruit salad.Wine for brunch or poolside. To best appreciate this wine serve it fresh.
"Rinaldi made a 2011 "Bug Juice" Pink from 90% Moscato d’Asti and 10% Brachetto d’Acqui. This is an addictive, light pink-colored, frothy rose that is quite low in alcohol, with deliciously sweet strawberry and cherry notes intermixed with hints of peach and apricot. Just stunning, there is much less of it available (800 cases). I can imagine that if you’re sitting by the pool on a hot summer day, this wine would be the perfect accompaniment."
- Wine Advocate (Issue 201, June 2012), 89 pts
Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100 percent Sangiovese.
Color: brilliant red with burgundy reflects; Bouquet: penetrating with memories of wild black fruits, black cherry and noble wood; Taste: warm, dry and persistent
Coming from a parcel with 10-15 year old vines planted in sandy clay and marl soils.
Harvest is 100% destemmed with a soft pressing, fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature of 28-30°C, pumping over for the first week of maceration followed by skin-contact maceration for 20-25 days with rack and return technique (delestage).
Malolactic fermentation completed.
Wine is slightly filtered before bottling.
Review:
"Good full red. Perfumed aromas of red cherry, kirsch, mocha and herbs on the inviting nose. Despite its size, this is graceful and impeccably built, with very precise flavors of red plum, blueberry, milk chocolate and minerals that expand and broaden on the long, seductive finish. Outstanding Brunello that offers both size and refinement. In my opinion, Collemattoni is a very underrated, off the radar Brunello estate but its wines deserve to be better known. - Ian D’Agata."
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (April 2020), 95 pts
Vitanza Volare Sangiovese di Toscana 2011 is made from 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Appellation: IGT Toscana.
Vineyard’s age: 14 Years.
Winemaking: Pre-soaking at a cold temperature for three days; pump-overs following the density and the temperature under computer control.
Aging: 4 Months in still tanks and 4 Months in Slavonia Oak.
Bottle refinement: 4 Months.
Production: 20,000 Bottles.
Time of Release: After 1 year from the harvest, in April.
Color: Red ruby.
Perfume: Bouquet intense and complete.
Taste: Full body, smooth and powerful with fresh fruit taste.
The Tenuta Vitanza Estate
The story of Tenuta Vitanza begins in 1994, when Rosalba Vitanza and her soon-to-be husband, Guido Andretta, spent a romantic weekend in Montalcino.
Rosalba has a PhD in Philosophy, and was teaching at the University of Rome, La Sapienza branch. Guido Anderetta was working as an aerospace engineer, running his own consulting business based in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A.
In 1994, they united their efforts behind the purchase of Podere Rensione, a country home with two acres of vineyards. Their first vintage was 1995 and the couple received 93 points from the Wine Spectator. Today, they own 80 acres of vines (not all in production year), and have a long-term goal of 15,000 cases of production. Since 2002, the couple has been building a modern, gravity flow winery, computer controlled, and wi-fi connected, in the town of Torrenieri. The winery has 13 large stainless steel tanks, each signifying a specific vineyard area. Also, the winery has been designed with total traceability, meaning that each bottle is numbered. In the future, you will be able to access their website, punch in the bottle’s number, and receive the following information:
· bottle type
· cork used
· kind of aging & how much time
· vineyard location & exact parcel
· weather that particular vintage
The Tenuta Vitanza Vineyard
25.8 hectares in production now or 63 acres, broken down as follows:
Size Grape Wine Type
14.4 acres Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino
3.0 acres Sangiovese Chianti, Colli Senesi
4.0 acres Sangiovese Orcia, DOC
1.4 acres Sangiovese Sant Antimo, DOC
3.0 acres Merlot for Quadrimendo & Chianti
25.8 hectares = 63.73 acres
Segries Secret Grange Lirac Rouge is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah.
This is a new wine for Chateau de Segries. 2013 is the first vintage.
The wine is dark and inky.
The aromas are intense and complex. It has fruit flavors of course, Strawberry and Blackberry, but it also have some interesting spice components, garrigue, pepper and licorice.
The finish is long and very pleasant as the tannins are round and well integrated.
La Grange is the name of the parcel where the grapes are grown. The soil is Clay and Limestone.
The average age of the vines is 80 years old.
Classic vinification in temperature controlled tanks. The skin contact maceration lasted 30 days and was completed in cement tanks.
The wine went through MaloLactic fermentation and was bottled without filtration.La Grange is the name of the parcel where the grapes are grown. The soil is Clay and Limestone.
The average age of the vines is 80 years old.
Classic vinification in temperature controlled tanks. The skin contact maceration lasted 30 days and was completed in cement tanks.
The wine went through MaloLactic fermentation and was bottled without filtration.
Review:
"The estate’s top wine is the 2016 Lirac Secret de la Grange, a 90-10 blend of Grenache and Syrah that never sees oak. This full-bodied blend is fabulously concentrated and lush, with ripe fruit flavors of raspberries and stone fruits, an intriguing hint of almond paste and a rich, long finish tinged with licorice. It should drink well for up to a decade. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #233, October 2017), 93 pts
SonVida Malbec is made from 95% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
SonVida Malbec is a single vineyard wine, the supreme expression of the award-winning zone of Altamira, in Argentina's Uco Valley. Altamira's smooth tannins shine through, and the combination of acidity and minerality lead the wine to a long, integrated finish.
"The wine is proud to be ripe and generous. Aromas dominated by smokey mulberry and blueberry. It's plush and coats the palate with bramble, blueberry and liquorice and the scent of vanilla. Immediately muscular and broad-shouldered in the glass, with a savory note, perhaps tapenade, running through the dense palate with mint and dried herbs on the finish. The oak will integrate over time, mixing its spice with the warm spice of fruit. - Joe Fattorini - The Wine Show"
Sunny Summer with moderate nighttime temperatures, followed by an early Fall.
Grapes come from the Mendoza region, in the Paraje Altamira area.
YIELD: 35 Hl/HA
MACERATION: Total 25 days, first cold-soaked 5 days, 14 days fermentation at 24° C, plus 7 additional days. No filtration.
SonVida Malbec can be enjoyed on its own, and matches perfectly with meats, chicken, turkey and hard cheeses. It is enjoyed best in good company. ‘Would you like another glass?’ The answer, almost always, is ‘yes’.
Review:
"A bold, dark-berry and cherry-fruited style with a strong core of rich blueberries and red cherries, as well as nuances of fresh tobacco. The depth and sweeping, fleshy texture is terrific. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2019), 93 pts