2021 Gianfranco Fino SE

The Michelin guide for restaurants, the Vini d'Italia from publisher Gambero Rosso for the best Italian wines. The latest edition was recently published, which judges on the basis of the quality of the wine and its continuity over the years. Michelin gives stars, the Gambero gives glasses. Tre Bicchieri (3 glasses) is the ultimate rating. The guide is 1000 pages thick, reviewed 2,350 producers and more than 10,000 wines. However, this guide remains the most important judge of wines in Italy and the wines of Gianfranco Fino have been voted the absolute number 1. Also in the June / July edition of Winelife 2 pages are devoted to the great wines of Gianfranco.

Like the Es, the Gianfranco Fino Sé is made from 100% Primitivo coming from a small vineyard of only 5HA, but even more special is the forced yield of only (average) 400 grams of grapes per plant. The vineyard and production takes place through a biodynamic approach. The grapes are picked manually and a very careful selection already takes place in the vineyard. The grapes go into small crates and then directly into a refrigerated truck. For part of the grapes, Gianfranco chooses to let them hang and dry on the grape vine. This process is called Appassimento and Gianfranco is the absolute reference for good appassimento wines (full, beautiful fruit but also with fresh acidity). This is then blended with non-dried grapes.

The 2nd selection takes place in the winery at Gianfranco Fino, after which the remaining grapes are pressed very lightly. The fermentation takes place at a low temperature for 3 weeks in stainless steel and completely on its natural yeasts. After that, the wine can stay for about 9 months in French oak, of which 33% new, 33% second use and 33% third use. After approximately 9 months of aging in wood, the wine is bottled without the aid of clarification/filtration and then the Sé also receives at least 6-9 months of bottle aging before being released.

The Gianfranco Sé has a ruby red, lively and bright color. In the nose, the wine is fruity with raspberry, cherry and black currant with herbs (rosemary, thyme). In addition, a little leather and chocolate. In the mouth the wine is surprisingly fresh but medium to full-bodied and very juicy with a very well balanced acidity. A beautiful glass to meditate with and gastronomically great with a good rib-eye, rabbit or lamb shoulder.