May Featured Wines – 2022 San Felice Perolla Vermentino & 2020 San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

Agricola San Felice is recognized as an innovative Italian estate, partly because of its ability to spot trends before they develop and partly because of its intense research and experimentation. At the same time, however, its production style accentuates the uniqueness and typical character of its territory by retaining a close attachment to tradition. The estate is situated in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga, near Siena, in other words, right in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico territory. This is the type of producer we like to offer wine club members.

The white selection, Agricola San Felice Perolla Vermentino (2021), is grown southwest of Siena in Maremma on the coast of Tuscany. A traditional grape in the Maremma, Vermentino ripens to perfection on the hills of the Perolla estate, thanks in part to the moderating influence of the moderating influence of the nearby Mediterranean.

The red selection, Agricola San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG (2020) is the first Chianti we have carried in a long time. Wine Spectator scored this as #24 on the best price list. This Chianti, mostly Sangiovese with 10% of each Colorino and Pugnitello has received rave reviews from buyers.

2022 San Felice Perolla Vermentino, Maremma, Tuscany $15

This is a dry, yet smooth white wine with a rich fragrance. On the nose, scents of grapefruit citrus emerge, along with spring blossoms and newly-mown hay. The palate shows a refreshing crispness, with subtle citrus in the background. Alcohol: 13.0%

2020 San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany $19

This is an example of a light and classic Chianti. Ruby red in color with the typical orangish, brick red hues of Sangiovese. It has complex notes of tart cherries, herbs like oregano, leather, tobacco, Italian salami. Light bodied, soft tannins, medium acid, and a medium long dry savory finish. Alcohol: 13.0%

May Featured Wines – 2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino & 2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia

2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $14

Mitolo Jester Vermentino is the perfect wine to share over a casual seafood lunch or at an outdoor summer celebration. The wine aromatics are all about freshness and purity with powerful pithy, lemon citrus characters and more subtle tropical notes of melon and pungent papaya. The palate is clean, grapefruit citrus flavors dominate with tropical undertones of melon. The palate is bright and fresh with a savoury, saline edge yet still a lovely soft, mouth filling quality and the faintest dusting of chalky structure that makes it the perfect wine to compliment salty seafood dishes. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $18

The Jester Cabernet comprises 20% Amarone fruit, dried for approximately 7-8 weeks, following the Italian appassimento technique of drying grapes on racks. This is a bright, fresh signature Cabernet Sauvignon with characteristics of red capsicum, menthol, violet and mixed herbs. It is full bodied and mouth filling with juicy red cherry, blackcurrant and cassis, intertwined with savoury dark chocolate and tobacco. The Amarone component adds to a textured finish with great length and savoury tannins. This is a great pairing for grilled or richly prepared beef  and lamb veal. Alcohol: 14.5%