B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
An "iconic, tiny production wine"
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
A rich and opulent limited release Amarone crafted by an artisan producer, the superbly balanced 95 pt. 2018 Tenuta Sant’Antonio Manfro offers layers of aromatic, expressive dark fruit hinting of spice and mocha with silky, full-bodied tannins and mineral-driven acidity, finishing long and lush and a terrific bargain for Amarone fans and lovers of bold Italian reds to enjoy over the next decade or more.
After working as vineyard and winemaking consultants in the Veneto for over a decade, the four Castagnedi brothers established Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 1995, crafting their Amarone from 100 hectares of sustainably farmed estate vineyards located in the hilly terrain of Monti Garbi and the Illasi Valley, home to cult-favorite producer Dal Forno Romano. Located near the border with Soave in eastern Valpolicella, the low yielding Tenuta Sant’Antonio vineyards are planted mostly to Corvina with smaller amounts of Corvinone, Rodinella and local varietals in unique sandy soils with fossil-rich limestone, imparting bold cherry fruit character and distinct minerality. After hand harvesting the best quality grapes on the first pass through the vineyards, winemaker Paolo Castagnedi dried the grapes for the 2018 Manfro on straw mats in the traditional appassimento method for over three months, enhancing the grapes’ concentration and depth while losing as much as 40% of their total weight in the process. After fermenting in stainless steel, the 2018 Tenuta Sant’Antonio Manfro was aged in new 500-liter French oak casks for two years with frequent stirring initially to further develop the deep, rich flavors, then spent nearly a year in bottle before release, yielding elegant, concentrated fresh fruit with mouth coating richness balanced by energetic acidity and firm tannins, structured to savor for decades to come.
Described by Decanter as "a powerful, full wine" balancing "sweet and savory elements with freshness," the plush 95 pt. 2018 Tenuta Sant’Antonio Manfro is now offered exclusively through La Place de Bordeaux yet priced well below other higher profile Amarone producers, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy an exceptional top-rated and long-lived Amaron without hesitation, unbeatably priced. |