The great wines of the world still need time. The only problem is, in a world of ever increasing immediate gratification, these wines are becoming harder and harder to find. Not because they've stopped being made, but because most people (myself included) aren't giving these wines the time they need and deserve to show their absolute best. Many top Burgundies, Bordeaux and Baroli are being consumed nascently, robbing them the chance to blossom into their most expressive and delicious selves.
That's why it gives me such great pleasure to be able to offer this pair of perfectly aged Sagrantino to you today. Made by one of Umbria's resolute traditionalists, Fongoli's old-school techniques produce some of the most long-lived reds in Italy. These wines' massive tannic structure and density require years in bottle to resolve. But when they finally do, they evolve into beautifully silky and elegantly fragrant wines whose mellow tones still retain their core of bold fruit.
With over 10 years of age, each of these wines have shed their youthful rusticity and become rich, layered wines with loads of dark fruit flavors and tertiary complexity. It's always rare to drink wines with age, but to catch wines drinking at their peak, that's very special indeed.
Today, I'm proud to offer the only bottles of 2011 & 2012 Fongoli, Montefalco Sagrantino in South Carolina. |
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Fongoli, Montefalco Sagrantino 2011
$59.99
A challenging vintage for Montefalco, but Fongoli managed it expertly, resulting in a robust and perfectly healthy crop. After a manual harvest, the grapes were crushed and fermented on the skins for a full month before pressing and aging in large, old Slavonian oak casks. After five years, the wine was bottled to continue aging until its release earlier this year.
Seriously elegant yet retains the grape's inherent boldness, this is a classic example of perfectly aged Sagrantino. A sublime mix of red and black fruit compote, with stewed raspberries, plums, and black cherries crossed with five spice, savory balsam notes, black tea and crushed black peppercorns. Intense tannins have been refined by cellar time but remain firm on the heady, lush palate. A thorough decant will reward you with a lusty wine made for seared, fatty steaks.
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Fongoli, Montefalco Sagrantino 2012
$69.99
A very warm vintage in Umbria, the 2012 was marked by dry, drought-like conditions, resulting in less than half the quantity of 2011. Though water stress was a challenge, lack of rain ensured that disease pressure was kept to a minimum, and while the harvest was small, the grapes were intensely concentrated and perfectly ripe at harvest. Fermented and aged identically to the 2011.
A more robust wine in comparison to the 2011, the 2012 is full of deep, dark fruit. Plums, blackberries and dried mission figs all vie for the spotlight on the nose, with notes of black licorice, menthol, tobacco leaf and allspice. The firm and structured palate is checked by velvety blackberry compote and savory olive tapenade. At twelve years on this wine still has plenty of energy and vibrancy. A true testament to Montefalco Sagrantino's place alongside Nebbiolo and Sangiovese as one of Italy's most profound wines.
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Cantina Fongoli is the work of four generations and today is headed up by Angelo Fongoli. During the first half of its history, the estate was a polyculture farm, with vines occupying only a portion of the land. In the 80s, Angelo's grandfather and father moved the family's land away from diverse farming to a focus on vineyards and wine, while employing 'modern' farming methods, such as pesticide and herbicide use. But in 2010, Angelo turned to biodynamics and more diverse viticultural methods, helping to restore the soils, thus make better wines.
Here in the heart of Umbria, the family has worked tirelessly to elevate the region's wines, even if they still often sit in the shadow of Tuscany and Piedmont. All the while, Angelo continues to stun with his old-school Montefalco Sagrantino. |
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2011 & 2012 Fongoli Vertical 2-PACK Price - $129.98
*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - $119.98
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
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Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants |
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