Sherbrooke Cellars © Copyright
Sportoletti
Winery
“Sportoletti is one of Umbria’s leading properties. Consulting oenologist Riccardo Cotarella oversees winemaking, but these delicious wines stand out for the qualities of the raw materials as much as they do for what goes on in the cellar.” – The Wine Advocate, April 2009
For generations, the Sportoletti family has always also been passionately dedicated to producing wine in Umbria. At the end of the 1970s, brothers Ernesto and Remo decided to turn their attention exclusively to winemaking. With great reverence for the teachings of their father Vittorio, they began to bottle wines under their own label. From that point on, they began a long journey in pursuit of the perfect balance between innovation and tradition, endeavoring to unleash the full potential of their territory, situated on the hills between Spello and Assisi where they now own 20 hectares of vineyards from which they produce an average of 200,000 bottles per year.
In 1998, the company decided to join forces with the highly esteemed agronomic and oenological consultant Riccardo Cotarella, thus marking the start of a highly successful professional collaboration as well as a valued friendship. They regularly replant their vines and cultivate them using the spur pruning system and high density planting. With 5,000 vines per hectare, they are able to control the number of buds and consequently the productivity of the vines. For the reserve wines, a first harvest of the grapes is carried out while the grapes are just beginning to ripen, in order to obtain an average yield of 1 Kg of grapes per plant. Vines currently cultivated include the indigenous Grechetto, for which they chose the G5 clone, a lower yielding yet more characteristic strain. The Merlot they grow is a particular massale clone that was selected and propagated from an old vine that had been on the property for fifty years and which, over the years, has given rise to one of their most successful wines. Specific clones of Sangiovese that provide a lower yield but are much richer in color were also chosen, the same holding true for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Visit the winery at www.sportoletti.com
Wines
Assisi Rosso 2008
The Assisi Rosso is a delightful, full-bodied red made from a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet, grown at about 400 meters above sea level to where grapes will develop bright fruit flavors accompanied by heightened aromatic qualities. The wine is macerated for about 10-15 days, then aged in used wood barrels for a few months for optimum smoothness.
“Sportoletti’s Assisi Rosso is one of the great values in Italian wine, and the 2008 is another in a long line of gorgeous wines. Ripe red cherries, tobacco, sweet herbs and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this juicy, plump offering. The 2008 is a touch more lithe than some previous vintages but it is nevertheless outstanding for its overall balance and sense of harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013.”
89 points, Wine Advocate, 6/10/2010
label / shelf talker
Assisi Grechetto 2009
Umbria, although often associated with full-bodied red wines, also has a knack for fantastic whites, and the case can be made that Grechetto is the finest of their indigenous white varietals. From grapes grown in mineral-rich soils are harvested at 300 meters above sea level, where cool nights and warm sunny days ensure balance and freshness. This crisp white with its deep golden hue is left to macerate on its skins for 6 hours for maximum concentration, featuring notes of honey, pear, and white blossoms.
“The 2009 Grechetto Assisi Bianco is an absolutely beautiful white graced with generous fruit, expressive aromatics and a long, inviting finish. Drink this crisp Grechetto over the next year or two. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2011”
89 points, Wine Advocate, 6/10/2010
label / shelf talker
Assisi Grechetto 2008
“Light honey color with burnished yellow shadings. Powerful aromas and flavors of waxy white peaches and Rainier cherries, preserved lemon, almonds, and roasted grains. Full bodied and demonstrative, leaving a strong and delicious impression upon the palate. Slight oxidative note on the long finish adds complexity. This has come out of its shell over the past few months and blossomed into a beautiful wine that is peaking now. 14% alc. Drink now to 2013…”
91 points, Dawson Wine Journal
Villa Fidelia 2006
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Franc made from six hectares of vineyards at 400 m above sea level, this is one of the estate’s flagship wines. From average 18-year-old vines grown in sandy, shallow soil with remnants of sandstone, this rich and powerful red is macerated for 15-18 with regular pumpover, then aged for 12 months in French-oak barriques.
“The 2006 Villa Fidelia flows onto the palate with a rush of red berries, flowers, spices and new leather. The clarity and delineation is striking, but the wine loses a bit of persistence on the mid-palate. Overall, this is a somewhat mid-weight Villa Fidelia that is likely to offer its best drinking relatively early. Villa Fidelia is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018.”
90 points, Wine Advocate, 6/10/2010
label / shelf talker