Montepirolo 2019
DOC Colli di Rimini, San Patrignano, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Producer: | San Patrignano |
| Origin: | Italy / Emilia-Romagna |
Description
One doesn’t often encounter a wine with such a flowery nose, with perfumes of lilac, lavender and wisteria. The fruity and spicy tones are perceptible only later with the dominance of eucalyptus, dried prunes and pepper. The Cabernet Sauvignon is responsible for the powerful body with pronounced tannins, though nicely balanced by a juicy acidity. This wine is for people liking full bodied wines, tending on the rustic side.
Attributes
| Origin: | Italy / Emilia-Romagna |
| Grape variety: | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Label: | Vegan |
| Ripening potential: | 4 to 10 years after harvest |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington, Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus, Beef Stroganoff, Bistecca fiorentina, T-Bone steak, Hearty stew with pulses |
| Vinification: | long must fermentation |
| Harvest: | hand-picking, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in partly new and used barriques/ Pièces |
| Maturation duration: | 18 months |
| Volume: | 13.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
San Patrignano
Between Rimini and San Marino, not far from the loud and lively beaches of the Adriatic Sea, lies San Patrignano. This rather unconventional village with between 1600 and 2000 inhabitants was founded in 1978 by Vincenzo Muccioli and like-minded people with the aim of offering young people in need a new future through work and vocational training.
Besides horse breeding, viticulture was one of the first successful activities in this rehabilitation project for people suffering from drug addiction. The renowned Italian œnologist and consultant Riccardo Cotarella most certainly played a decisive role in the success of the wines on the market.
Around 100 hectares on the hills of the town of Coriano are planted with Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The climate under the influence of the nearby sea and the limestone and clay-rich soils offer ideal conditions for wine-growing. Under professional management, the vineyards are lovingly maintained by the young men and women according to organic guidelines.
Cabernet Franc
Forefather of the Bordeaux varieties
The Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest varieties of Bordelais and a parent of three other red grapes in the Bordeaux assortment: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. It is distinguished by its complex, flavourful bouquet of raspberry, graphite, violet, liquorice and white pepper. In addition, it presents round, crisp tannins which turn out less strongly than those of Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Cabernet Franc always appears as part of a blend in Bordeaux, it is pressed alone on the Loire. The most renowned appellations are Chinon and Bourgueil. Incidentally, the Cabernet originates not in Bordeaux but in the Spanish Basque Country. Cabernet owes its name to the Latin “carbon”, meaning black.
Merlot
Everybody’s darling
Merlot is the most charming member of the Bordeaux family. It shines with rich colour, fragrant fullness, velvety tannins and sweet, plummy fruit. It even makes itself easy for the vintner, as it matures without issue in cool years as well. This is in contrast to the stricter Cabernet Sauvignon, which it complements as a blending partner. Its good qualities have made the Merlot famous worldwide. At over 100,000 hectares, it is the most-planted grape in France. It also covers large areas in California, Italy, Australia and recently in Eastern Europe. The only catch is that pure Merlot varieties rarely turn out well. Its charm is often associated with a lack of substance. Only the best specimens improve with maturity. They then develop complex notes of leather and truffles. This succeeds in the top wines from the Bordeaux appellation of Pomerol and those from Ticino, among others.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The backbone of Bordeaux
The Cabernet Sauvignon gives the Bordeaux its backbone, yielding deep violet wines with powerful tannins and endless ripening potential. It is the top dog in Médoc, and is placed in all five premier crus of Bordelais. When young, it often appears strict and unapproachable, but with advancing years, its tannins round off. It is wonderfully velvety, and yet always maintains its freshness. Typical flavours include cassis, graphite and cedar. Wherever Cabernet Sauvignon is found, Merlot is not far away. It complements the robust structure of Cabernet with softness, fruit and richness. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the most-exported vine in the world. It delivers persuasive qualities in Italy as an ingredient of the Super Tuscan, or as the flagship variety from California. There, it is lovingly titled “Cab Sauv”. Meat fans should be aware that it fantastically accompanies a grilled entrecôte. The family tree of Cabernet Sauvignon is surprising: its parents are Cabernet Franc and the white Sauvignon blanc.
Italy
Italy – Where wine is a way of life
The Italian wine regions are extremely diverse, and this is made clear in their wines. Established varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon can be found on just 15 percent of the total vine growing area. The remaining 85 percent is reserved for autochthonous, indigenous varieties. More than 2,000 different grape varieties are grown under diverse conditions and pressed with various techniques into wines that reach the top tier of the international wine market.
