Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2016

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for 2 hours. Deep ruby in colour, this superb blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot (depending on the vintage) delivers aromas of dark, ripe fruit, blueberry and spice. The flavours include strawberry, blackcurrant, eucalyptus and hints of toasty spices. The full bodied wine has fine, well integrated tannins, balanced perfectly with the high alcohol and acidity. This wine will age very well and open up further as time goes on. The finish is long with hints of balsamic and herbs at the end. This is a great food wine and will match perfectly with roast meats, game, venison, rich pate and strong cheese. Fermentation in oak vats lasts for 18-20 days. Maturation in French oak barriques for 18 months followed by 15 months in bottle ensures the very best from the wine. This is the very best wine from the very best vineyard. Podere Forte has been said to have an “obsessive attention to detail” – but they see it as respecting nature’s gifts. The organic and biodynamic processes are testament to this attention to detail, with an overriding view that the minimum intervention in the growing and fermentation processes leads to the best wines. Although there is some disagreement about biodynamic and organic statuses, the underlying care and prosperity of the vineyard and its terroir are improved immeasurably by the care with which the winery displays in its winemaking. The resulting wines show that the minimal contact and interference ensures fantastic quality wines with unique characteristics.

Price: £152.76 from 8wines UK