Fantini, `Calalenta` Rosato

Fantini, `Calalenta` Rosato

Vintage: 2024

VintageProduct CodeFormatClosureAvailability
2024FA443B246 x 75VinolokAvailable
Producer

The Fantini group was founded in 1994 by Valentino Sciotti with the aim of producing top-quality wine from Abruzzo. The enterprise was so successful that the group expanded further south in Italy and its islands. Today, the Fantini group includes Cantina Diomede, Gran Sasso, Vesevo, Vigneti del Salento, Vigneti del Vulture, Tufarello, Zabù and Cantina Atzei, among others. Acclaimed winemaker and consultant Alberto Antonini oversees production, ensuring these wines offer great quality, varietal character and value. Their elegant and striking packaging makes them stand out on the shelf or table.

Fantini is the group’s flagship winery, producing wines from vineyards based in the northern part of Abruzzo, where ripeness and freshness combine in the wines. The forward and accessible Sangiovese is a case in point. All the wines made from Montepulciano have this variety's hallmark colour and intensity but with a balance and accessibility often lacking in wines from this region. The deeply coloured, intense and powerful ‘Edizione’ Cinque Autoctoni is, according to owner Valentino Sciotti, “a true taste of southern Italy”. Blending five indigenous grape varieties, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia Rossa, grown across Abruzzo and Puglia, it is full and powerful yet equally fresh and nicely defined.

Their Cuvée Bianco Brut is a refreshing sparkling wine made from the local variety Cococciola, while the Cuvée Rosato Brut is made with Aglianico from Basilicata. Both come in beautifully designed bottles with a Swarovski crystal on the label. The Calalenta Pecorino is wonderfully balanced, with both a soft texture and vibrant freshness on the finish. The Calalenta Rosato is 100% Merlot and shows fresh aromas of strawberries and pink grapefruit with a refreshing acidity. Grapes for both wines hail from west and southwest-facing vineyards around the town of Ortona, on the Adriatic coast in Abruzzo, planted on calcareous clay soils.

Vineyards

The west and south/west facing vineyards are situated at the foot of the Maiella mountain which sits almost 3000 metres above sea level. The vines are planted on calcareous clay soils of a medium texture and trained on a pergola system.

Vintage

The 2024 vintage was defined by a hot, dry growing season, leading to an early harvest—approximately two weeks ahead of previous years. This accelerated ripening resulted in slightly lower yields compared to 2022. Despite these challenges, the grapes remained healthy, producing wines of excellent quality.

Vinification

Grapes were hand harvested during the night, to retain aromas and freshness, and transported to the winery where they were gently crushed and cooled down. Fermentation of the free run juice took place in stainless steel vats at a cool temperature of 10 degrees for 20 days, to extract the fresh and delicate aromas. The wine was kept on lees for another 30 days in stainless steel vats. Following the post- fermentation maceration, the wine was fined, filtered and bottled.

Tasting Notes & Technical Details

This pale pink rosé shows fresh aromas of strawberries, watermelon and pink grapefruit with hints of rose petals. The palate shows delicate fruit aromas with a vibrant and refreshing acidity and hints of mineral notes on the finish.

Alcohol (ABV)

13.5%