FUMANELLI 05 VALPOL SUPERIOR
Sometimes it takes just one passionate, dedicated producer to raise the fortunes of an entire wine region. Brunello di Montalcino had Biondi Santi. Ribera del Duero had Vega Sicilia. Barolo had Gaja and Aldo Conterno. The commitment and unwavering effort of these wineries, coupled with great terroir and detail-oriented winemaking, helped spur a revolution in each of these now-famed appellations. In a similar vein, Northern Italy's Marchesi Fumanelli family is intent on redefining the Valpolicella region with their soulful and inspired wines from their historic Squarano Estate. As with most of Italy's top producers, Fumanelli combines raditional and modern techniques to preserve fruit and terroir characteristics while retaining a sense of regional tradition. Their wines are concentrated, flavorful, complex and unique.Such an enjoyable, season-appropriate wine-- the nose starts with black pepper, red fruits and autumnal spices as notes of smoked meat, dark florals, vanilla bean and fruit coulis rise from the glass. The palate is almost airy in its light viscosity, uplifted and heady. Cinnamon stick and nutmeg blend with mixed red berries and assorted red fruits. Elegant and very well-structured wine.
