Description
Without a doubt Roberto Anselmi is one of the most important producers of the Soave district in the northeast of Italy’s Veneto region situated on the highest slopes of the hills between Monteforte and Soave (Monforte d’Alpone). His work both in the vineyard and winery has seen him become a modern pioneer of quality Italian wine. In 1999 Roberto chose to declassify his wines from Soave DOC to IGT due to his dissatisfaction with the newly introduced DOCG which he (and a few other quality minded producers) consider is not strict enough on quality.
At a time when producers in Soave were increasing yields & production to sacrifice quality to satisfy a white wine boom, Anselmi went in the opposite direction for that of uncompromising quality. Roberto became more selective in the vineyards, reduced yields and discarding all but the finest fruit to achieve his signature intensity of flavour, fruit and bouquet rarely, if ever, encountered in the wines of Soave. He was also one of a limited number of producers in the Soave classic region to develop ‘cru’ or his flagship single vineyard wines such as the highly acclaimed Capitel Foscarino & Capitel Croce.
Other major initiatives undertaken by Anselmi have included the purchase of hilltop vineyard plots, conversion of vineyard trellising from the customary pergola system to densely-planted horizontal spurred cordons, resulting in major reductions in yields, scrupulous clonal selection, reduction of irrigation to an absolute minimum and the pioneering use of small new and semi-new oak barrels in the vinification process, generating wines of singular structure and complexity.
No doubt his work both in the vineyard and winery has seen him become a modern pioneer of quality Italian wine. His extraordinary wines are the most flavour intensive, ripe expressions of ‘Soave’.
Wow this wine stopped my conversation! How does one describe the cascading flavours of this superb wine?
2015 Vintage in Soave was an excellent warm, dry growing season that produced generous ripe quality fruit.
“…the 2015 Soaves are showier than those of 2014, and are characterized more by aromas and flavors of ripe yellow fruits than by minerality.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous.
100% Garganega from Anselmi’s (10 acres) low yielding single vineyard, densely planted vines on south facing slopes, limestone soil trained using a horizontal spurred cordon technique. Located near the Croce shrine at the top of Zoppega hill in the Monteforte area of the Veneto. Some oak maturation contributes to the complexity of this beautiful rich wine. Brilliant gold with a bright amber hue, this is a rich fruit-forward wine. Grapefruit, golden apple minerality followed by some creamy texture, hints of oak and wild flowers. Complex wine that cries out for lunch – veal, pork, pâté, goat cheese and spicy dishes. Viva Italia! Do not miss out on this nectar! Very limited!
RRP $59
