As I reported from the Gambero Rosso tasting, Colpetrone is now part of the conglomerate Saiagricola. What may first sound like a cause for concern is unfounded. Riccardo Cotarella is in charge of the entire portfolio of wines, which includes Arbiola, La Poderina, and Fattoria del Cerro, among others.
I last tasted the subject wine in February at Gambero Rosso; It was beautiful then, but tight as a drum with the structure of a brick house. The past several months have allowed this wine to come together nicely, to settle, and express more of it’s potential. The hour in the decanter brought forth complexity that was absent initially.
The Colpetrone estate covers about 350 acres, only 150 of which are under vine. The estate produces Sagrantino exclusively from owned vineyards and reduces yields per hectare well below that which the DOCG regulations allow.
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| ~ I Vigneti di Colpetrone ~ |
The “Tre Bicchieri” 2007 Sagrantino is a lovely purple black in the decanter and glass. It’s opaque. Aromas of black fruits, leather, tobacco and mineral are evident and accented with a smokey essence. On the palate, the power of the wine is evident, but there’s also a sophistication, an approachable smoothness that was not there in February. Perhaps this speaks of Cotarella’s influence. The weight of the wine is balanced well by the rich, ripe fruit. Black pepper, tobacco, earth and spices contribute. The ripe tannins and acids still assert themselves toward the finish but don’t diminish the wine’s elegance. While delicious now, I’ve no doubt it will become more intriguing with cellar time. A great value. 92 points, about $28.
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| ~ The Tre Bicchieri Colpetrone Sagrantino di Montefalco ~ |
Avanti!
Hi John,
Cool suggestion! Normally, this is the kind of wine I would be afraid to try because the estate and even the grapes used are very unfamiliar to me, so thanks a lot for bringing this one out. Unfortunately the price of this wine here, about 80$, may be a little ridiculous..
Also wanted to tell you, I tried Re di Renieri this weekend.. I totally agree, that was a solid wine, nice right now, but will most probably develop some extra complexity in the near future.. you had convinced me on that one, and I thank you for that!
I had more time to go through your blog today and I have to say, briefly:
1-Amazing report you have done regarding "Massanois Imports".. there are a load of wines I never heard of.. Will surely try some!
2-Looked like a very nice chianti tasting the other day.. I also had a crush on 2009 Castello d'Albola and Fèlsina Chianti Classico earlier this year.. Recently, I was also seduced by 2010 Fontalpino Chianti Classico.. Have you ever had this one?
Thanks again for your great work, it is much appreciated 🙂
Raphael,
Thanks for the kind words. Stay tuned, there's lots more coming including more winemaker interviews, (do you enjoy those?) and a very large 2008 Brunello report later this summer/early fall. Plus, a major feature article on Castello del Terriccio, and a new Tuscan winery that I've just started tasting. (that one will remain a surprise)
Also, use the websites search feature. It's surprisingly robust.
On the Fontalpino, I have not tried it, but I did recently see it and was not familiar with it. I'll give it a look so thanks for the heads up and I'm glad you liked the "Re".
Where do you live? $80 is too much for Colpetrone – though that may have been their Riserva you saw, because that sounds like a lot. For other good Sagrantino, I'd focus on Antonelli, Caprai and Tabarrini. Bea is also good but his wines are very expensive here.
Salute!
Hi John,
I live in Montreal and some wines are sometimes overexpensive. As you may know, the government controls the selling here, consequently there is no competetion so they have kind of a freehand on prices.. I checked on their website and there is no mention of "riserva" for the colpetrone.. But it might be a mistake, because the price makes no sense! At least, thanks to them for the amazing service and selection of wines they import!
I'm very excited about this Brunello report.. 2008 is a vintage that just little information is available for Brunello (which makes sense because 2008 Brunello wines are just starting to be released) and I know that for Chianti, it has been a difficult year and that some producers had problems.. can't wait to see if it's same for Montalcino and which producers did best in your opinion!
I also found your slow wine and gambero rosso tasting reports amazing. Lots of information there in a few minutes of reading. I'm looking forward for this event in Montreal, I just don't know if they're stopping here this year..
Also, I do enjoy the interviews you do with the wineries! (I particularly found the interview with the Caprili estate amazing, couldn't believe that the kid was actually 21 too, I laughed loud when you said that "Canadians are born with skates" – which is actually true of course). Just that interview made me wanna try their Brunello, which I did earlier this year. Actually, it must be pretty cool for you to get those opportunities, talking with passionate people that craft wines with heart and soul. I went in Tuscany and Valpolicella last fall, during harvest season, visited a couple of wineries, talked with people there, wonderfull experiences. I may recall you have put the possiblity of interviewing giacomo Neri from the gambero rosso report? Looking forward to that! 😮
For the Fontalpino Chianti classico 2010, I'd say like someone recently told me, "buy one, see if you like it" 😉 The Carpineta Fontalpino is a 80 ha (23 are growing grapes) estate in the Castelnuova berardenga subzone and I think they produce their wine 100% organically. They produce 2 IGT wines (Dofana and Do ut des) which have been awarded tre becchieri a few times (I have not tasted them yet, but I keep one 2009 do ut des in the cellar), a chianti classico, a chianti (colli senesi) and a chianti classico riserva. The one I'm talking about is the 2010 classico. It's very nice! Nice core of berry fruits, tobacco, 12 months barriques maturing so the oak is there, but very well integrated in the wine, balanced.. I was charmed. Maybe less classy then others like Albola of Fèlsina, but has lenght and soul, in my opinion of course.. Hope you like it if you try!!
Kindly
Raphael