#VILLA FIDELIA SPORTOLETTI 2006 FULL#

Excellent suite of sophisticated tannins come on like the stick attack of NYC bucket drummers. Round and soft in the mouth underscored with exhilarating minerality / acidity. Polished, rich scents of berry jelly, cherry tobacco, mint and black pepper. Opaque, deep ruby color radiates warmth and vitality. (If you truly are unaware of the Frescobaldi / Mondavi histories, consider performing 30 minutes penitential research which you are hereby given.) Suffice it to say only that these families have been leading forces in the world of winemaking. Responsible for Tenuta Luce Della Vite, the collaborative project resulting in Luce and Lucente, the families Frescobaldi and Mondavi need no introduction to anyone interested enough in wine to be reading this blog. To set the mood, allow me a moment to share what are, IMHO, a couple of great collaborations:Р”Р„fter tasting Luce Della ViteРІР‚в„ўs РІР‚СљLuceРІР‚Сњ and РІР‚СљLucenteРІР‚Сњ, I am inclined to add the names Frescobaldi / Mondavi to that brief list of names linked together in successful alliance. If interested, see Vintrospective policy about wine samples here. Note: Luce Della Vite РІР‚СљLuceРІР‚Сњ and РІР‚СљLucenteРІР‚Сњ were provided to me as tasting samples. $ Posted on JAuthor Joel Categories $ (Under $25), Wine Tags Merlot Leave a comment on SantРІР‚в„ўElena Merlot 2000 2 Wines from Luce Della Vite Keep in mind that the wine is so beautifully nuanced that to avoid overly РІР‚СљnoisyРІР‚Сњ or complicated preparations will be a good idea. Generally speaking, meats, fatty fish and medium ripe cheeses will be superb with this wine. The wine is drinking so well right now that I donРІР‚в„ўt see how it could improve any more, and I do think itРІР‚в„ўll hold well for a couple of more years. Gorgeous round finish with tons of nuance. Smooth tannins roll out like an antique oriental silk carpet.

#VILLA FIDELIA SPORTOLETTI 2006 FULL#

The palate is all elegance and depth, full of vibrant fruit and РІР‚СљaliveРІР‚Сњ acidity.

I was floored when I poured this wine: incredible old-wine aromatics showing integrated red and black berries, dried roses, forest floor, tobacco. The wine is aged in 20 hectolitre barrels for 18 months. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel. SantРІР‚в„ўElena Merlot is produced from 100% Merlot grown in alluvial soil. In the vineyard, high density РІР‚вЂњ low yield and green harvest techniques are favored, a production average of about one bottle per plant. The SantРІР‚в„ўElena estate holds approximately 40 hectares in ItalyРІР‚в„ўs Friuli. Just to qualify that a bit, I mean like Bordeaux that is 5 РІР‚вЂњ 10 times more expensive. This less-than-$20.00 bottle is right now drinking like expensive Bordeaux. When a bottle of SantРІР‚в„ўElena Merlot 2000 on the retail shelf caught my eye, I considered passing by since I had tasted the wine sometime before.

In fact, within my own family, the axiom Taste Taste Taste has become something approaching family law with reference to food and wine. That maxim has served me well over the years. IРІР‚в„ўve written before that one of the best pieces of advice given to me about wine amounts to three simple words: Taste Taste Taste.

Villa fidelia sportoletti 2006