It's back and the new vintage is better than ever!
I’ve often opined in this newsletter about my love-hate relationship with vintage changes in the wine world. I do look forward to the new vintage every year — after all, it’s that ever-changing cycle of the new harvest that largely contributes to our favorite beverage’s inherent charm. Waiting to preview that new vintage is often more stressful than exciting for the wine merchant, especially for customer favorites.
Last year, the 2016 Alberto Conti Toscana immediately catapulted to a rock-solid customer and staff favorite. The 50 cases I secured all but evaporated, leaving me with a multitude of customers thirsty for more. You can see where the stress might creep in while waiting to taste the new vintage! Fortunately, the 2017 Aberto Conti arrived in the fall last year, and once again, it was an instant hit.
I am delighted to report I’ve been able to purchase more of the fabulous 2017 vintage, and it has arrived once again in Asheville!
Tuscany -- a bevy of famous wine making villages
Sangiovese and the birth of the "Super Tuscan"
One of the world’s best-loved grapes is Sangiovese. This is especially true when it comes from Tuscany — a region that has long been considered the epicenter of Sangiovese production. Local viticulture records here trace back to the eighth century B.C., and since that time, at least 14 clones of this noble grape developed and remain in current production.
Sangiovese is indeed synonymous with some of Italy’s most famous wines, notably Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and of course, the widely popular wines of Chianti. In addition to those famous names, Sangiovese is incredibly valuable in Tuscany as a blending grape.
In the 1970s, a group of adventurous winemakers started to blend Sangiovese with a number of grapes that were not authorized for use in the region. Their choice to blend Sangiovese with locally cultivated French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot became the birth of the Super Tuscan.
Smooth as silk
We all love Super Tuscans; however, most of us don’t love their price, so I’m always on the lookout for “Baby Super Tuscans.” Once again, if you look at the wines produced by a well-regarded quality-oriented producer, nine times out of ten, their entry-level wines are not only a screaming deal, they’re also crazy good for such a reasonable price. I like to refer to these wines as “Baby Super Tuscans” to note their lineage with a Super Tuscan producer, in addition to their impressive bang for the buck.
The 2017 Alberto Conti Toscana Rosso is once again a prime example of this type of quality-value ratio. It’s a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Merlot with the Sangiovese providing the earthy, rustic backbone and the Merlot offering the plush, velvety fruit.
You’re greeted with dark berry and savory aromas in the glass leading to a palate brimming with red raspberry, dried cherry, plum, and herbs. There’s plenty of rich, velvety, ripe fruit in this medium-bodied red; however, it also offers just the right amount of rustic savory notes to balance the fruit and remind you that you’re sipping on a bit of Tuscany. If anything, the 2017 is even more plush and round than the 2016. The right amount of lift and brightness on the finish makes this a great summer Red you can enjoy with BBQ and grilled meats.
Hammond and I just can’t get enough of this one. We had a glass recently, along with one of Hammond’s excellent Lamb, Mushroom and Eggplant Pizzas. It was a stunning pairing!
Alberto Conti
Toscana Rosso 2017 “Baby Super Tuscan” Sangiovese-MerlotTuscany, Italy
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