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Wines by Podere
Forte |
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Podere
Forte
Mondavi, Gaja, Torres... Every so often
an individual of unrivalled ambition enters the world stage
and teaches his onlookers something new: Pasquale Forte
has joined that list. His $42 million investment outside
the hills of Montalcino, matched by his methodical and genuine
approach to wine, has captured the eyes of the best winemakers
in Montalcino and is now being whispered about in the leading
Bordeaux houses. Pasquale’s modern day Xanadu, Podere
Forte, is an estate and learning institution dedicated to
the further evolution of wine. The new gravitational flow
winery is equipped with sophisticated research laboratories,
stocked with soil samples from around the globe, and destined
for greatness on the scale of such celebrated wines as Sassicaia
and Solaia. Only in its infancy, Forte’s Super-Tuscan
Guardiavigna, has already won critical acclaim, capturing
the coveted Tre Bicchieri award and leaving the naysayers
speechless.
Guardiavigna is the name of the small tower that sits
at the highest point of the Podere Forte estate, where
Gigiotto di Rocca d’Orcia, home from the Napoleonic
Wars, stood with his Arquebus musket to guard over the
vineyards. The wine is a full bodied blend primarily of
Sangiovese, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit
Verdot grapes from the best south, southwestern vineyard
locations in Toscana. Discover the exotic spice Petit
Verdot can achieve under the Tuscan sun.
Petrucci is the ancient name for the magnificent estate
that is today Podere Forte. Going back to the historical
roots of the Petrucci Estate, it was Pasqual’s intent
to use 100% Sangiovese for the Petrucci label, as it represents
the best of the local indigenous varieties. The 2001 vintage
was superb in Tuscany yielding grapes of great balance
and structure. Forte’s “Petrucci,” expresses
the character of Sangiovese at its purest, combined with
the outstanding cellaring potential of this vintage.
How does the son of a Calabrian peasant farmer become
a scientific genius and open the doors to a $42 million
winery that is destined to change the wines from the hillsides
of Toscana? The modest producer doesn’t say much,
but those that know him will say it is his relentless
pursuit of perfection that combines perception and analysis.
Like Einstein, he is one of few capable of thriving on
four hours of sleep in pursuit of his passion.
As a mechanical engineer, Pasquale’s training is
meticulous scientific research and analysis. He has applied
this approach to winemaking; taking soil samples every
20 yards, plowing his own fields, using biodynamic farming,
testing and replanting grapes for the optimal ripening
cycle. He is a self-taught enologist and is far removed
from the glamour lifestyle of many Montalcino producers.
Forte's persistent research and principals of enology
led him to Orcia DOC, a historic hilltop village between
the prestigious soils of Montalcino and Montepulciano.
With its steep hills, dark soils, and nearby location
to the Monte Amiata Volcano, the terroir offers even more
grandeur than its neighbor. Taste and see for yourself!
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You may also enjoy reading about these additional producers:
Antinori,
Ca' Marcanda (Gaja),
Castell'in Villa,
Castello dei Rampolla,
Cesani,
Cima,
Col d'Orcia,
Fiano,
Felsina,
Fontodi,
Fossi,
Grattamacco,
Le Macchiole,
Montevertine,
Ornellaia,
Podere Forte,
Podere Poggio Scalette,
Querciabella,
Sassicaia,
Tua Rita,
Vignavecchia
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