Just 20 minutes from the center of Florence, among the hills of the Val di Pesa, sits Fattoria Le Calvane a wine producing resort destination. Crafting an array of pretty wines, Le Calvane farms their 600 year old estate in the traditional manner.
The name Le Calvane dates back to 1427. Calvano di Luca Calvanesi produced wine and olive oil on the property and the estate remained in his family until 1569. In 1683, Donato Acciaoli, one of the most powerful families of Florence, repurchased Le Calvane and the Castle of Montegufoni, as it belonged to his ancestors in earlier centuries. But the modern day revival of Le Calvane took place in 2011 when a partnership of international and local investors acquired the estate. Immediately they hired Vittorio Fiore to make the wine and the expected results have materialized.
Today we’re looking at one of the estate’s best wines; the 2011 Le Calvane Matriarca. Merlot excels in Tuscany and this pure example doesn’t buck that trend. In the glass, the wine exudes aristocratic aromas of crushed berry, toast, menthol, and licorice. The deep ruby wine is very well balanced on the palate, with flavors that echo the nose and a powdery, dusty, tactile sensation that I love about Tuscan Merlot. Refined, with good acidity and moderate tannins, this rip and juicy wine will easily develop in bottle for 3-5 more years but with 30 minutes in a decanter, drinks very well now. Delicious. 92 points. Le Calvane does not have importation to the US, but the wines are available in the EU and Canada. US customers can purchase directly from the Canadian distributor.
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| ~ Matriarca is 100% Merlot ~ |
Salute!
I love Italian Merlot, but I find them hard to come by in NH, but I'll be looking!