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Angelo
Sassetti Montalcino Tuscany, Italy
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Angelo Sassetti Montalcino
In Tuscany, on the northern flank of the hilltop
town of Montalcino, lies the Pertimali estate.
The terrain is Eocnic origin with marl and clay
alternating with limestone, situated on slopes
with sufficient inclination for water to drain
off rapidly and well. Angelo Sassetti began producing
wine 7 years ago in a small winery built into
the farmhouse, From his acres of hand manicured
vineyards and rigorous control over crop level,
Angelo's small lot and unfiltered winemaking produces
10,000 - 12,000 bottles of Rosso and 15,000 -
18,000 bottles of Brunello. The most important
factor in the excellence achieved by Angelo Sassetti
with his Rosso & Brunello di Montalcino is his
total dedication to every stage of his wines from
his hand care of his vineyards, to his total involvement
in each of the procedures in his cellars. That
is why his vineyards think of him as Angelo "the
angel" Sassetti.
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A. Sassetti Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino
Rosso di Montalcino
Rosso is a new appelation for red wine from Brunello
grapes of Montalcino, which is not aged as long
as Brunello. Usually lacking the austere, tannic
complexity of aged Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino
makes excellent drinking at a lower cost and its
alternative appelation as a DOC that gives growers
the option of using, from the same Brunello vineyards,
the lesser qualified grapes (younger vines or
less ripened clusters) so as to select the superior
grapes for the wines to be aged as Brunello, while
declaring the rest as Rosso di Montalcino. It
has a deep color, is concentrated and rich, opening
to layers of spicey berry aromas and flavors,
with an excellent balance and finish. A compliment
to pasta dishes, red meats or game. Serve at room
temperature.
Brunello di Montalcino
This wine is made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso
grapes. The long period of aging (four years,
of which three and a half are in oak or chestnut
casks) is one of the distinctive characteristics
of this wine. A further period in the bottle completes
the work of refining the wine to its optimum taste.
Climate is perhaps a more significant factor than
specific clones in creating the characteristics
of the wine. The town of Montalcino, 70 miles
south of Florence, enjoys a warmer drier climate
than the various zones of Chianti, and the open
countryside around it ensures both excellent ventilation
and cool evenings and nights. The Sangiovese reaches
its maximum ripeness here. The DOC regulation
of 1960 established a minimum period of cask aging
of 42 months, confirmed in 1980 by DOCG rules.
A campaign to lower this period gained support
in the latter half of the 1980Ős when the minimum
aging period was lowered to 36 months in 1990.
This Brunello has a deep red color, is concentrated
and initally closed before layers of rich fruit
unfold. It has spicey deep flavors with medium
tannin and a long finish, A delight with pasta
dishes, red meats or game. Decanting is recommended.
Serve at room temperature.
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