Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
It is hard to believe that four years have passed since we first met Carlo Ferro and Lionello Rosso at a wine show held at the Carleton Hotel in Cannes. Carlo owns and operates Azienda Agricola Ferro Carlo while Lionello does the same for Poderi Rosso Giovanni. How we ended up representing these two fine Piedmontese wineries is a long story. Let’s just say that I liked their excellent wines and Hélène welcomed the opportunity to practice her Italian. The two young men from neighbouring wineries in Piedmont are close friends whose families have made delicious red wines, mainly from Barbera d’Asti grapes for generations.
Barbera d’Asti
Burton Anderson, an internationally acclaimed Italian wine authority who has lived in Tuscany for more than twenty-five years says this about Barbera d’Asti in his book, ‘Wines of Italy’, “The best wines are robust and full-bodied, with good acidity and are fuller and livelier then Barbera d’Alba. At its best Barbera d’Asti is hard to beat. Most is drunk fairly young. Also makes fruity novello. Some producers’ rich, structured wines will age a decade or more, though styles vary greatly in this vast zone of abundant production.”
Vintages in Piedmont
2006 and 2008 were good to very good vintages and 2007 was stellar.
The Twin Italian Offering
We are offering three lovely red wines and a sampler case from each winery. All the wines come in twelve-bottle cases. We will be taking your orders for these fine wines to the LCBO on Thursday, April 15th.
Azienda Agricola Ferro Carlo and Its Wonderful Barbera d’Asti
Azienda Agricola Ferro Carlo is comprised of ten hectares of vineyards in the borough of Agliano Terme, set between the Langhe and Monferrato districts in Piedmont (north-west corner of Italy). The third generation family-run winery grows Barbera, Dolcetto and Grignolino grapes in its meticulously maintained, south facing vineyards that are 300 metres above sea level. They produce three primary labels – “Giulia”, “Notturno”, and “Roche”, all made from one hundred percent Barbera grapes. It was the 2004 “Notturno” (3,600 bottles!) that was featured successfully at VINTAGES a couple of years ago.
This lovely wine is named after Carlo’s daughter. It does not spend any time in oak. After resting a year in steel tanks, it matures a further six months in the bottle before it is released. Grape selection is very rigorous with a yield of only 42 hectolitres per hectare. It is a full-bodied wine that displays pleasing notes of raspberry, black cherry, leather and resin. It has a good tannic grip and promises to last for several years. I would decant this surprisingly complex wine at least an hour before serving – with BBQ fare, stews and most pasta dishes. This is one delicious wine for the money. Order this excellent value now.
2006 Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Notturno” (14.5% Alc./Vol.) $22/$264 12-bottle case
This stunner is a deep ruby colour with attractive aromas of plum, black cherry, smoke, tar and blueberry. The yield is a stingy 35 hectolitres per hectare. It is vinified and kept in steel tanks for the first six months before being transferred to large oak barrels where it matures for at least a year. It is dry, substantially fruity and is surrounded by a crisp/tangy core. It will go well with almost any pasta dish, grilled meats and charcuterie. I would decant it at least an hour before drinking and believe it will mature beautifully in the cellar for at least five to seven years. Order this wonderful wine now.
2006 Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Roche” (14.5% Alc./Vol.) $32/$396 12-bottle case
It is named after the hill on which the vineyard is situated which, thanks to its position and soil, is considered one of the best Barbera growing locations of Agliano Terme. Like the Nottuno, the yield is a very selective 35 hectolitres per hectare from vines exceeding fifty years of age. It too is vinified in steel vats and is matured for a year in new French barriques – small oak barrels. This is a huge, ruby red wine with excellent structure, body and aroma. It has a powerful bouquet of black cherries, leather, coffee, vanilla and chocolate that all persist in the mouth. This is a real keeper that belongs in any cellar where it should remain and happily mature for at least a decade. Order this collector’s item now.
Ferro Carlo Sampler (14.5% Alc./Vol.) $23/$276 12-bottle case
Five bottles of the 2007 “Giulia, four bottles of the 2006 “Notturmo” and three bottles of the 2006 “Roche. Order your special collection of fine wines from Azienda Agricola Ferro Carlo now.
Poderi Rosso Giovanni
Lionello began working at his family’s winery in 1999 upon completion of his studies at the Oenology Institute in Alba and took the helm in 2006. Like his forebears, he constantly searches for ways to improve the quality of his vineyards and wine. High density planting (5000 plants per hectare), old vines, severe pruning, traditional vinification and state of the art technology combine to demonstrate the Rosso family determination to produce superb red wines of unique personality.
The Red Wines of Poderi Rosso Giovanni
We have chosen to present three of Lionello’s very special red wines - the easy drinking Barbera d’Asti, the remarkable Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Vigna del Carlinet” and the monumental Monferrato “Infinito”.
2008 Barbera d’Asti (13.5Alc./Vol.) $18/$228 12-bottle case
This little beauty is made from 100% Barbera grapes. It is a purplish red tending towards ruby and has a most pleasant nose of fresh red berries, new leather and spice. In the mouth it is pleasingly dry with a very good structure. This very pleasant, straight forward, medium bodied, unoaked wine is ideal for every day drinking and will go particularly well with white meats and light pasta dishes. Order a real Italian treat now.
2007 “Vigna del Carlinet” (15% Alc./Vol.) $32/$396 12-bottle case
This is a terrific wine! Once again it is made from 100% Barbera. Fashioned from hand selected grapes, it has been refined by resting in small Allier oak barriques for 12 months. The yield is a low 30 hectolitres per hectare. This is a brooding, dark ruby coloured wine possessing pervasive aromas of blackberries, raspberries, vanilla and liquorice. It is full, dry and warm in the mouth where the scents are joined by notes of amaretto and cocoa wrapped in sweet tannins. These persist in a lingering, luxurious aftertaste. Drinking most agreeably now, this stunner will keep quite contentedly for at least a decade. Decant several hours before consuming … with game or grilled meats. Only 6,000 bottles were produced. What a shame. Latch onto some of this very special wine now.
2007 Moferrato “Infinito” (14.5% Alc./Vol.) $34/$432 12-bottle case
Oh boy … what a wine. The “Infinito” is crafted from 60% Barbera and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 14 months in Allier oak barriques. Also boasting a miserly yield of 30 hectolitres per hectare, this wine too is a dark ruby red. Aromas of chocolate, wild berries, vanilla and black cherries steeped in liqueur leap from the glass. In the mouth it is open, round and mellow with lovely tannins and a persistent honeyed (but not sweet) after taste. This young wine needs some air before serving and will cellar nicely for several years. Only 3,000 bottles of this exquisite beauty were made. Nab some for yourself.
Rosso Giovanni Sampler $26/$312 12-bottle case
Six bottles of the 2008 Barbera d’Asti, and three bottles each of the delicious 2007 “Vigna del Carlinet” and the 2007 Monferrato “Infinito”. Order your stellar Italian sampler now.
Don’t forget ‘A Châteauneuf Evening at Bodega’ on Thursday, April 15th.
This is going to be a great wine and food pairing event.
Please pass this note on to anyone you think would like some really excellent Italian wines.
Many thanks and cheers,
Jim and Hélène www.arthursellers.com jaswalker@arthursellers.com Hbuisson@ofrance.ca
