Fossacolle 2010

4 small hectares.  That's all it takes to make magic.  

The Fossacolle family winery lies in the village of Tavernelle in the south of Montalcino.  Owner and patriarch Sergio Marchetti has familial roots that date to the 18th century,  but Fossacolle is a mere baby in relation to Brunello, having only released it's first vintage, 1997,  in January 2002.  Success is coming quickly for the hard working family and the 2010 Fossacolle Brunello is the best wine I've ever tasted from this estate.

Today the estate is closely run by the entire family, but Sergio tends to the agronomy while his son and son in law focus on the winemaking and marketing.  

~ Sergio Marchetti ~

The vineyards sit at an altitude of approximately 300 meters ASL in soil that is strongly influenced by clay.  Although the estate is 4 hectares,  only 2 1/2 are devoted to Brunello.  About a fourth of a hectare is devoted to Fossacolle's IGT wine and the balance to woods and buildings.  

Today we're focusing on the Fossacolle 2010 Brunello.   We decanted the wine a full 60 minutes prior to dinner. My prior experience with many of the 2010's at Benvenuto Brunello strongly suggested that air time would help the wine.   In the glass, this is a dark, opaque ruby red with a slight fade only at the outer most rim.  The aromas remarkably pour from the glass in this young Brunello.  There's a huge amount of crushed wild cherry fruit that appears ripe and expressive.  Joining are traces of wild herbs, Tuscan dust and newly warmed earthen clay.  If an aroma could be mouthwatering,  this is it!

On the palate, the wine is predictably young and tightly wound.  On its own or with a nibble of  cheese, the wine is somewhat restrained.  However, with my short ribs,  this sang a different tune.  And hit every note.  Deep cherry flavors are accented with new leather, fresh herbs and plump up like a partridge against the heft of the meat.  Dusty, integrated but substantial tannins provide structure while the acidity keeps everything fresh.  This is lovely, lovely wine and I can't wait to see this develop over the next 15 years.  Stupendous.  96 points, about $45. 

~ Fossacolle hit a home run in 2010 ~

Salute!