La Stoppa - Ageno (2019)
Staff Pick
90% Malvasia 10% Ortrugo & Trebbiano Toscano. The varieties are co-planted and the vines average 30 years of age. The fruit is co-harvested, destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in tank. Maceration with the skins lasts around 4 months (warmer vintages usually entail a shorter time on the skins and the cooler ones a longer stretch). Malolactic fermentation normally occurs.
In the spring the wine is racked into bottil and aged for at least a year, followed by 2 years in bottle before release. The name "Ageno" is in homage to the original owner of the estate, Giancarlo Ageno.
- About the Winemaker
- Tasting Notes
- Pairings
The farming has been organic since the early 1990's; certification came in 2008. Elena Pantaleoni, a dedicated, intelligent and passionate grower, works closely with her enologist Giulio Armani to craft wines expressive of place and grape. Work in the cellar is minimal. Fermentation is entirely with native yeasts; maceration with skins is lengthy; little to no sulfur is used; wines are aged in a range of Slavonian oak botti and used French barriques; reds are not filtered before bottling; and bottle aging is extended. Elena eschews any DOC classifications, choosing the IGT path instead; she feels that the DOC regulations are too broad in terms of permitted varieties, geographical bounds and production techniques, and not conducive to thoughtul, artisanal winegrowing and winemaking, the priority at the La Stoppa estate.
Orange Peel, Honey, Apricot
Seafood Pasta, Hard Cheese, Charcuterie
About the Winemaker
The farming has been organic since the early 1990's; certification came in 2008. Elena Pantaleoni, a dedicated, intelligent and passionate grower, works closely with her enologist Giulio Armani to craft wines expressive of place and grape. Work in the cellar is minimal. Fermentation is entirely with native yeasts; maceration with skins is lengthy; little to no sulfur is used; wines are aged in a range of Slavonian oak botti and used French barriques; reds are not filtered before bottling; and bottle aging is extended. Elena eschews any DOC classifications, choosing the IGT path instead; she feels that the DOC regulations are too broad in terms of permitted varieties, geographical bounds and production techniques, and not conducive to thoughtul, artisanal winegrowing and winemaking, the priority at the La Stoppa estate.
Tasting Notes
Orange Peel, Honey, Apricot
Pairings
Seafood Pasta, Hard Cheese, Charcuterie