Selezione del Fondatore: expression of Sangiovese

Castello delle Regine is an Umbrian success story, which in terms of wine has consolidated itself in the brief span of fifteen years. Located in the area of Colli Amerini, the farm extends over 400 hectares in total. In addition to the vineyard, cereals and approximately 7,000 olive trees are cultivated, along with the raising of cattle and pigs. About ninety hectares are planted with vines.

We stopped by their stand with the aim of tasting the renowned Sangiovese Selezione del Fondatore, the winery's flagship wine. And, unexpectedly, we tasted three consecutive vintages. It is a great wine that ferments in steel and, depending on the vintage, matures for no less than 12 months in wood (generally barrique). It then rests for at least another three years in the bottle, although, as we have seen, in these cases we go well beyond that.

Let us move on to the tasting...

Sangiovese Selezione del Fondatore 2006

The wine is ruby red with garnet glints, very bright and clear. The nose is complex and articulate, with fruity hints of wild berry jam, mushroom, fern, then spicy notes of vanilla and pepper, liquorice, closing with toasted hints. On the palate it strikes for its enormous body, with a fresh-tannic component still prevailing over softness and alcohol, with a very long finish accompanied by balsamic returns. I would say still young..

Sangiovese Selezione del Fondatore 2005

Of garnet red colour, we immediately notice spicy notes of black pepper, then mushroom and undergrowth. The olfactory register then shifts towards ripe fruity tones, juniper, sweet tobacco, closing with toasted notes of bitter cocoa. It surprises on the palate for its great softness, although the freshness, but above all the monumental tannin, still seems to prevail. Enormous yet very fine tannin, of absolute quality: a clear sign that the wine will continue to evolve for a long time. The wine's finish on the palate is measured in minutes.

Sangiovese Selezione del Fondatore 2004

Bright garnet red, we immediately perceive toasted notes alongside vanilla and cinnamon. The nose then opens to notes of withered violet, thyme, blueberry jam and eucalyptol. On the taste-olfactory examination, the balance of its components is striking, although the biting acidity suggests a still long life ahead for this wine. A wine certainly ready, yet destined to continue evolving in the bottle and to further enhance its already considerable complexity.

In summary, I would say that defining this Selezione del Fondatore a surprising wine would not do justice to the impression we have formed. We would certainly be curious to taste the previous vintages, to understand how far along they are in their evolutionary process. Or perhaps, in a few years' time, the very same vintages we tasted today.