Fumanelli Amarone Tasting and Dinner with Armando Fumanelli at Wine Watch 7pm

I am not old but mellow like good wine.
Stephen Phillipe

I love Italian wines.  It is hard to believe that when I bought the store 13 years ago we only had 4 different Italian labels on the shelf.  Today, we have one of the greatest collections of Barolos, Barbarescos, super Tuscans, Chianti, and of course Amarone available not only in South Florida but anywhere in the world!

The wines of Marchesi Fumanelli were introduced to me through a good friend as he brought a magnum of the 2003 Fumanelli Octavius in Magnum to our Dal Forno Romano Amarone tasting.  Although these wines are very different in style the Fumanelli Octavius was impressive next to the most famous wine of the land of many cellars, Valpolicella.

Naturally I jumped at the chance to break bread with this producer when my local rep from the Sorting Table David mentioned that Armando Fumanelli would be in town.  Tonight, we will be tasting through a selection of Marchesi Fumanelli's wines and Armando Fumanelli will be here to guide us through the tasting and tell us more about these magical wines from the land of many cellars- Valpolicella. 

Toni Lampasone from Wine Watch Catering will be making a few tasty treats to accompany the tasting wines, the fee for this event is $65 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Tasting Wines:

Marchesi Fumanelli Terso Bianco Veneto IGT 2005
Price: $38.25    Sale $33.66     Case $390

A blend of 50% Garganega, and 50% Tuscan Trebbiano.  After hand harvesting, the grapes are macerated for a few hours and then chilled prior to beginning fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Half way through the process the wine is transferred to barriques where it completes fermentation and is aged on the lees with regular lees stirring. The wine is light green with hints of yellow. The bouquet offers fresh apricots, ripe apples, mint and eucalyptus. The flavors are elegant and delicious.

Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Superiore 2004
Price: $31.50    Sale $27.72     Case $321

A blend of Corvina 40%, Corvinone 40%, and Rondinella 20%.   Intense ruby red with violet reflexes, pronounced and characteristic bouquet of mature red fruits with a slightly spicy note. A wine of great structure and elegance. 

Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Classico 2009
Price: $16.50    Sale $14.52     Case $169

(88 Points)  The 2009 Valpolicella Classico from Fumanelli is an attractive, mid-weight offering. Red berries, crushed flowers, tobacco, licorice and sweet herbs are some of the aromas and flavors that waft from the glass in this feminine, vinous Valpolicella. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.  Wine Advocate # 193, Feb 2011

Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005
Price: $82.50    Sale $72.60     Case $842

(92 Points)  The 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a delicious wine, even if it is a touch light in body for an Amarone. Dark cherries, plums, flowers and sweet spices take shape in the glass. This shows lovely inner perfume and radiance, not to mention considerable harmony. The understated style seems best suited to near and mid-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.  Wine Advocate # 193, Feb 2011

Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella  Octavius 2003
Price: $150       Sale $132        Case $1530

Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella  Octavius Magnum 2003
Price: $300       Sale $264        Case $1530

(90 Points) The Octavius Riserva shows the heat of the 2003 vintage in its powerful aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry jelly and exotic spice.  There's a sweet note in the mouth backed by chocolate, tobacco and spice.  Wine Enthusiast, 02/2011

Menu:

Selection of Cheese:  Gorgonzola, Beemster, Gouda and Reggiano Parmesan

Crispy Fried game hen cooked in a Juniper berry reduction served over Amarone della Valpolicella risotto

Amarone braised short ribs served with a quenelle of wild mushrooms and blue cheese

Dark Chocolate Brownie with a garnish of toasted almonds and candied pecans

A bit about Marchesi Fumanelli:

Located in the Lessini Mountains, northwest of Verona and east of Lake Garda, the Valpolicella district features a series of verdant valleys and steep, vine-covered ridges. Viticulture and winemaking in the region dates back to the Bronze Age. The Marchesi Fumanelli family has been vinifying wines in the Veneto since 1470. Today, they are the region’s largest and most important landholder. The winery is located on the Squarano Estate near the village of San Floriano in the heart of the Valpolicella district. This ancient site, cultivated by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago, possesses many archeological remains including the vestiges of a temple dedicated to the goddess Flora.

The vineyards of the Squarano Estate are planted on southeast facing hillsides at altitudes ranging from 95 to 450 feet. Soils are a mixture of lime and clay at the foot of the hill and chalky clay in the higher elevations. The Estate’s vineyards are quite mature with an average vine age of 40-50 years. Varieties planted include Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinari with small amounts of Garanega and Trebbiano. The trellising features the traditional Veronese pergola and spalliera systems with vines closely spaced at 2,500 per hectare. Yields are kept low the overall average is 50 hectoliters per hectare with many blocks producing fewer the 25.

After harvesting by hand, the best grapes are air dried for 120 days, fermented and then aged in French barriques for two years. The wine is deep red with ripe aromas of cherries, prunes, nutmeg, vanilla and chocolate. The flavors are rich, round, ripe and luscious. Balanced tannins ensure this wine will improve in the cellar.