EXCEPTIONAL WINE ALERT:

Today’s Super Tuscan is one of the best Italians that we’ve tasted this year. An exceptional wine that is both elegant but with bold fruit that you’d expect. Its sleek and sexy bottle is also perfect for your Valentine’s Day romantic dinner.

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Mission Codename: More To The Point

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exclusive Super Tuscan for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Casa Alle Vacche

Wine Subject: 2007 ‘Acantho’ San Gimignano DOC Toscana IGT Rosso

Winemaker: Dr. Paul Salvi

Backgrounder:

In just the last decade, Super Tuscans became the latest rage in Italian wine in the United States, however, their story goes back to the late 1940s when the famed Sassicaia wine was reportedly made by Incisa della Rochetta using Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, or so the legend goes. Now Super Tuscans are the ‘Bordeaux’ of West-Central Italy, expertly blended with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and often Merlot, Colorino and other local grape varietals.

Today’s selection, a delicious blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the San Gimignano DOC, located in the hilly region in the Siena area. Wine making traditions in this region dates back to the Etruscan era and the wines are quite exceptional.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Nearly black, this deep garnet wine’s core is dark, brooding and inky that shows garnet streaks that barely reflect the light. Along the edges, the deep garnet color is revealed and when swirled, slow fat legs cling to the side of the glass before descending to the wine below.

Smell – Rich and bold with aromas of blackberry, dark plum and black cherry layered over savory spice, smokey toasted oak, wild black licorice and hints of leather and mocha.

Feel – Smooth, dry warm and expansive on the palate, this full-bodied wine has firm textured tannins and dark minerality that creates a chewy generous mouth feel. Lively acidity frames the fruit and lingers into the finish.

Taste – Tangy black fruit including tangy black cherry and blackberry with notes of ripe plum too. Smokey and toasted oak with soft vanilla hints and bittersweet dark chocolate integrate with meaty leather notes and savory and hot spice as well as the black licorice found of the nose.

Finish – Extremely long with the tangy black fruit and licorice notes leading the way and giving way to the textured tannins and vibrant acidity that dries the palate slightly and invites another sip.

Conclusion – If you are a fan of Super Tuscans, then today’s 2007 Casa Alle Vacche ‘Acantho’ San Gimignano DOC Toscana IGT Rosso is a wine well worth a try! Rich, tangy and savory on the nose and palate framed by well structured tannins and acidity, this wine really delivers the Italian experience. We couldn’t help ourselves with this one and paired this wine with a classic Osso Buco. Enjoy this wine now (after decanting) or cellar for the next ten years.

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WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Dr. Paul Salvi

WINE EDUCATION: Degree in Technical Enology from the Istituto Tecnico Agrario at Siena 1994. In 1986 earned title of enologist from courses at Florence University, Montpellier and Bordeaux

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Vinify giving the utmost respect to the raw materials, using the appropriate technologies permitted to express the full potential of the grapes respecting of the typicity of the vineyard and production area.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: The wine is the fruit of the earth, the seasons and the passion of man.
No wine may be identical to another, this is the charm of this product.
There is always something to learn and discover.

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: The first wine that I was responsible from start to finish was Vernaccia di San Gimignano 1991 vintage

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Paul. We are thrilled to be showing your 2007 ‘Acantho’ San Gimignano DOC Rosso today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

PAUL: Thank you for showcasing our fantastic ‘Acantho’.

WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

PAUL: I always watched my grandfather and my father, who pruned the vineyard, and smiled as they reflected on the fruits of their labors.

WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

PAUL: Mythical creatures, in particular Tachis but the reality for us is tradition, tradition, tradition

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

PAUL: For the satisfaction of being told. “How good it is.”

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

PAUL: The 2007 ‘Acantho’ San Gimignano DOC Rosso is a Super Tuscan Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon aged eighteen months in cask before finishing. Our soul, our character and Terroir is reflected in this wine.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

PAUL: A simple beef steak, best cut “Florentine”.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Tuscan region so special?

PAUL: The air we breathe in the Tuscan landscape is unique, you feel the huge tradition of art and ancient culture.

WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

PAUL: This is the highlight of the year, the end of the grape harvest.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

PAUL: Our wines are the result of hard work, not a hobby or a second job. Our families live with the wine and for the wine. So I think those who taste our wine with heart and focus, understand it. For wine in general the quality and commitment have a cost, and consider value for money and consider that family businesses like ours are struggling for every bottle of wine. Every bottle is hard work, hope, Joy and the difficulty of an entire family.

WHITE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

PAUL: Give in to the temptation and purchase of a bottle of Acatho, close your eyes and take a sip and imagine our hills with vineyards and olive groves, as they are kissed by the warmth of the sun making it a product uniquely of this land.

WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Casa Alle Vacche can be seen in this satellite photo.