The Family Behind Tenuta Vitanza (Montalcino, Tuscany)

This (sold out) tasting was truly a family event. Rosalba Vitanza, her husband Guido Andretta & their 11-year old daughter came through Seattle & brought some Tuscan flair to Portalis.

While vacationing in the early 90’s, Rosalba Vitanza, who has a doctorate in philosophy and was teaching at the University of Rome & her husband, Guido Andretta, an aeronautical engineer, fell in love with Montalcino & Tuscany. They decided to purchase an old country house, built around 1600, on the outskirts of the Montalcino appellation, and start a solar powered winery to produce organic wines.

In 1998 they purchased more land & vineyards, ending up with 40 hectares of land & 16 hectares of vineyards. Rosalba Vitanza started making wine learning by doing. Clearly she has a knack as she has developed into one of the region’s top Brunello winemakers.  They shared the magic of their wines with us when then joined us in June for a tasting, introducing our guests to the following delightful, classic Tuscan lineup:

Tenuta Vitanza 2007 Vitanza $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
100% Sangiovese Tuscan IGT, 8 month fermented in stainless steel tanks. Your Tuscan table wine if you want. Intense bouquet of red cherries. Smooth, medium-bodied, fine acidity, with dark cherry fruit & herbal components.

Tenuta Vitanza 2006 Chianti Colli Senesi $18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19
100% Sangiovese from the hills of Siena. Aged 4 month in Slovenian oak. Aromas of fresh picked cherries. Medium-bodied, with beautiful acidity on the mid-palate. Lot’s of ripe black cherries & red cherries. Smooth tannins on the finish.

Tenuta Vitanza 2005 Rosso Di Montalcino $24.99 | Sale $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
100% Sangiovese Grosso, aged 6 month in French oak. Beautiful aromas of ripe black cherries & some wood. Smooth, medium-bodied, well-balanced, with good acidity & depth. Lot’s of black cherry fruit building up on the round palate. Long, elegant finish.

 Tenuta Vitanza 2004 Quadrimendo $37.99 | Sale $34.99 | Mixed Case $27.99
IGT Toscana Supertuscan. A blend of 50% Sangiovese & 50% Merlot. Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries & black pepper. Powerful but smooth, with elegant dark fruit & spicy components. Smooth tannins on the long lasting finish.

Tenuta Vitanza 2004 Brunello Di Montalcino Tradition $44.99 | Sale $41.99 | Mixed Case $33.59
100% estate Sangiovese Grosso, aged 3 years in Slovenian oak barrels. Intense bouquet of black cherries, leather & dark coffee. Medium- to full-bodied, elegant, with superb acidity. Beautiful dark fruit layers building up on the mid-palate. Lots of dark cherries, leather, with some spicy & herbal notes. Smooth finish.

Tenuta Vitanza 2004 Brunello Di Montalcino $62.99 | Sale $57.99 | Mixed Case $46.39
100% estate Sangiovese Grosso, aged 30% in French oak, 70% in large Slovenian oak barrels. Again, intense bouquet of dark cherries, blackberries, mocha & coffee. Strong, powerful, but well-balanced. Lot’s of dark fruit, dark chocolate, with herbal & spicy components. Long, strong, powerful finish.

We hope to see them again soon, in Seattle would be lovely … but in Tuscany would be even better!  If you are interested in ordering any of these wines, give us a call at 206-783-2007 or email info@portaliswines.com.

Cheers,
Jens

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