VINEALIS

 vins fins

André Papineau

T : 514.895.8835

F : 450.616.6721

andre@vinealis.qc.ca

www.vinealis.qc.ca

 france   |   italie   |   nouveau monde   |   autriche-allemagne

MONTEPELOSO, TOSCANE

Cuvées disponibles :

Eneo IGt Toscana 2004 : Importation privée (octobre)

Gabbro IGt Toscana 2004 : Importation privée

Tucked away in the hills of Suvereto near Bolgheri on the Tuscan Coast – one of the hottest areas in Tuscany – is the 15-acre Montepeloso estate. The winemaker, Swiss-born Fabio Chiarelotto, admits about his wine that it’s “easy produce concentrated wines in such a hot climate…but it’s much harder to achieve elegance and finesse.” In order to take full advantage of the terroir’s potential, he overhauled the vineyards in 1997 – retraining, pruning, and even regrafting many vines. In the cellar, he does relatively short macerations, employs natural yeasts during fermentation, and bottles without filtration.

The Wines
Nardo (Tuscan dialect for lavender), remains Montepelosos’ flagship wine. It is an unfiltered blend of approximately 70% Sangiovese, 20% Montepulciano, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and never made in a quantity of more than 400 cases a year.

Beginning in 1997, there is a second luxury cuvée, made in even smaller quantities—Gabbro, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from 35 year-old years. Approximately 120 cases are produced.

The estate’s basic Rosso was renamed Eneo for the 2000 vintage. This wine has emerged as something special in its own right since Chiarelotto’s arrival, and the new name celebrates that fact. It remains primarily Sangiovese, with Colorino and Merlot, and is aged in 2nd and 3rd year French barrique. It remains a pure and powerful, yet elegant, example from this heralded zone of Tuscany.

Production will gradually increase as young vineyards reach maturity. For now, these remain among Italy’s elite rarities.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 03 : "Nardo 95 points. Penetrating ruby, with a deep violet core. Seductive aroma of panforte spices mingles with crushed red fruits. Fills the mouth with sweet red and black fruit sensations; very pure and concentrated, with superb definition and length. Though the flavors run deep they are not jammy. This elegant, irresistible wine finishes long and creamy, with silky tannins and a sense of freshness."

Wine Advocate : "Gabbro 94 pts. Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged in 100% new French oak, the 1999 Gabbro boasts an inky, opaque purple color as well as a backward but promising bouquet of lead pencil, creme de cassis, toast, and melted licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and profoundly concentrated, this dramatic wine could easily be inserted in a blind tasting with barrel samples of the 2000 Medocs. The finish lasts for 30-35 seconds. The evolution of this 1999 should be fascinating to follow. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. Bravo! " WA, oct 2001, #137.

 france   |   italie   |   nouveau monde   |   autriche-allemagne

VINEALIS   635, rue victoria    longueuil qc   j4h 2k2   t : 514.895.8835   f : 450.616.6721     andre@vinealis.qc.ca