Anselmi San Vincenzo 2016

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’.

Anselmi San Vincenzo is grown in the Monteforte area within the Veneto region of northern Italy. 70% Garganega, 30% Chardonnay & Sauvignon blanc (used to flesh out the wine). Pure depth of fruit -riot of citrus and apples with scents of minerals and herbs on a refreshing line of mouth watering acidity. Sublime with grilled fish or roast chicken.

2016 was a classic vintage in Soave with an exceptional growing season, long gradual ripening without any adverse heat spikes or rain.

Oz Clarke, leading UK Wine writer and critic: “Anselmi used to be the guiding light of Soave wine, but he increasingly found that local restrictions were preventing him from expressing his full creativity so he gave up using “Soave” on his label, and its their loss, not his. Anselmi wines have never been better. This is wonderfully original wine, smelling of ripe russet apples, baked pears and savoury custard and tasting of pear and pineapple syrup that rich but doesn’t cloy, and is cut by a spritzy tingle and the acid of boiled lemons and russet apple peel. But there’s more, if you linger: a fern-like herb aroma, a kind of celestial boiled honey and fruit lozenge, some quince and crab-apple jelly. The longer you linger, the more you’ll find.”

RRP $48  *LAST BOTTLES LEFT!