12 Angheli, Donnafugata

ANGHELI

Type

Red - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Sicilia I.G.P.

Grapes

Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)

Production area

South-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas. Tenuta di Casale Bianco (Contessa Entellina)

Altitude

200 to 600 m AMSL

Orography

hilly

Soils

clayey with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 8). Total limestone about 20% and medium endowed with nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc)

VINEYARD

Training and pruning

VSP (vertical shoot positioning), with wooden stakes and stainless steel wires; cordon spur training, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant

Planting densities

4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre)

Yield per hectare

about 6 tons (2.4 tons an acre)

Vintage 2008

compared to seasonal average, 2008 was a somewhat dryer year, while temperatures were slightly higher but without excessive peaks and with big temperature ranges between day and night. Healthy and perfectly mature grapes were the premise for balanced and elegant wines. Angheli 2008 is extremely harmonious and caressing

CELLAR

Fermentation

in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 11-13 days at a temperature of 28° C (82,5°F)

Aging

the wine matures partially in second passage French oak barriques and partially in tonneaux for about a year and aged in the bottle for another two years

Analysis data

alcohol 13.21% ABV, total acidity 6.4 g/l, pH 3.40

TASTING NOTES

Description

The Merlot - also main grape variety in the vintages 2006 and 2007 - was completed with 40 % of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2008. Fruit of new vineyards entered in production, Cabernet Sauvignon enhances Angheli 2008 with a more complete and appealing structure. A Bordeaux blend valorizing the great “fruit potential” of Merlot and the “structure” of Cabernet Sauvignon. Angheli 2008 presents itself ruby colored; the scents are balsamic with hints of violets and sweet tobacco. A wine of good body and silky tannins which reveals pleasantly caressing and fruity (sour cherry) sensations in the mouth

Aging potential

over 8 years

THE WINE EXPERIENCE

Food & Wine

it works best with roast or braised red meats; kid and lamb, medium aged cheeses, porcini mushrooms, rabbit and meatloaf. If served in large, big-bellied goblets it can be uncorked at the time of serving, otherwise a couple of hours earlier. Excellent at 16-18°C (61-64°F)

Occasions

an ideal companion for a barbecue, a bachelor party or a informal dinner with friends

Art & wine

"... of loves and ladies, knights and arms...". Would that be Angelica of the Orlando Enraged, who flees on the horse shown on the label? Donnafugata has many "women in flight;" each has a past in history and tradition but, for sure, a future of softness and seduction as well

First vintage

1997