Sherbrooke Cellars © Copyright
Sporoletti
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 2007
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.
“The 2007 Assisi Rosso offers up attractive bright red fruits intermingled with spices and scents of sweet toasted oak. Although it is a tad leaner than the terrific 2006, the 2007 possesses notable elegance and finesse at this level. Simply put, this is a delicious glass of wine…Sportoletti is best known for their top of the line Villa Fidelia, but their entry-level Assisi Rosso is no slouch either. In fact it remains one of the great values in Italian wines today. Consulting oenologist Riccardo Cotarella fashions this cuvee from 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.” Wine Advocate, 89 points, 4/09
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Assisi Grechetto 2008
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 2007 Assisi Grechetto is a gorgeous white. In this vintage the wine possesses an additional level of ripeness in the fruit along with pretty notes of mint and honeysuckle. The Assisi Grechetto is an overachiever in 2007, not to mention a great value.” Wine Advocate, 89 points, 4/09
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Villa Fidelia 2005
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 2005 Villa Fidelia boasts an expressive, sweet bouquet that leads to gorgeous dark red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. The wine shows tons of balance and delicate yet well-integrated tannins. Villa Fidelia is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc that spent 12 months in French oak barrels ranging from one to three years of age. This is another gem from the Sportoletti brothers.” Wine Advocate, 91 points, 4/09
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