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Mission Codename: Dal 1934

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Visit Umbria and return with an exceptional varietally pure Sangiovese.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Tenuta San Rocco

Wine Subject: 2008 ‘Moretto’ Colli Martani DOC Sangiovese

Winemaker: Dr. Graziana Grassini

Backgrounder:

The most widely planted grape in all of Italy, Sangiovese is used in everything from blended inexpensive table wines like Chianti, to the finest Super Tuscans. Its popularity has also brought it to American vineyards where Italian immigrants introduced this varietal to the U.S. in the 1800’s.

Colli Martini DOC is located in central Italy’s Umbria region. The wines from this appellation tend to be varietal wines of the indigenous Grechetto and Sangiovese, often with the addition of small percentages of other approved native or imported, often times French, varietals. The same region is very well known for the festive Montefalco Sagrantino wines.

Today’s selection is 100% Sangiovese and fermented in stainless steel tanks before bottling so this wine shows its true and pure varietal character.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – A beautiful deep garnet purple with ruby red streaks that shine through its clear core when held to the light. Pale garnet along the edges and when swirled, tightly spaced chubby legs cling to the glass before slowly descending.

Smell – Bright, fresh and tangy aromas of red fruit including red and Italian cherry, ripe raspberry and red plum blend with soft exotic spice, black licorice and a floral hints.

Feel – Round, plush and expansive, this dry medium-to-full bodied wine has smooth but present tannins that linger just under the fruit. A touch of soft textured minerality and youthful acidity also lasts into the finish.

Taste – Bright, ripe and tangy red cherry, raspberry, red plum generously expand over the palate framed by its well structured but smooth tannins. Notes of spice and black licorice and the floral notes from the nose also make their appearance on the palate.

Finish – Medium long and very clean with the soft tannins gripping the bright red fruit as the the flavors gently fade. and invite another sip.

Conclusion – The 2008 San Rocco ‘Moretto’ Colli Martani DOC Sangiovese is a delicious and pure wine that shows Sangiovese’s bright character from the first sip long into the finish. A smooth but well structured mouthfeel with enough acidity to make this wine great with food. Not overly complex but delicious nevertheless. Pair this wine with aged cheeses, dried meats and other antipasto or with BBQ grilled flat-bread pizza. Enjoy now or cellar for three years, a youthful wine that should be enjoyed as such!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Dr. Graziana Grassini

WINE JOB BRIEF: We cultivate our vineyards with great care to bring healthy grapes in the cellar. We pick the grapes by hand in the toolboxes and stocchiamo in a mini container hauled by low temperature, before moving to their processing and fermentation at controlled temperature

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: We want to make wine-fruit or produce wines with scents of grapes Sangiovese. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats for 12 months and then in bottles for six months.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “Softness Grows the fruit in glass of Tenuta San Rocco” Yearbook of Migliori vini Italiani by Luca Maroni 2011

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: The first wine was the “Poggio Marcigliano”, white wine from grapes Grechetto di Todi that grows only in the range of Todi

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Graziana Grassini. We are thrilled to be showing your 2008 ‘Moretto’ Colli Martani DOC Sangiovese today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

GRAZIANA: Thank you for featuring our delicious Moretto Sangiovese!

WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

GRAZIANA: We have always cultivated the vine-Tenuta San Rocco belongs to the family since 1934. I was manager of a multinational company, but from 2005 I devoted only to grow grapes and produce wine with appreciations by various consumers also foreigners.

WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

GRAZIANA: The style is influenced by the expertise and passion of Dr. Grassini, Winemaker of Sassicaia, Tuscany.

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

GRAZIANA: For consumers who enjoy wine.

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Umbria so special?

GRAZIANA: Umbria the green heart of Italy has a wealth of wines and olive oils produced by small companies that make quality their production philosophy. The “terroir” makes special our wines that are taking more and more wine enthusiasts.

WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

GRAZIANA: We are working in the vineyard picking grapes (eliminate excess bunches to maintain production at around 60 q.li/ha) and prepare for the harvest that will begin in the first days of September.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

GRAZIANA: Enjoy our wines paired with bruschetta with olive oil, cheeses and cold meats.

WHITE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

GRAZIANA: I would like to share with everyone the pleasure of drinking together our wines receive their comments and suggestions to improve and meet the tastes of consumers.

WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the San Rocco can be seen in this satellite photo.