Sandro Fay
Valtellina Superiore Sassella Nebbiolo Il Glicine 2022
| Denomination | DOCG Valtellina Superiore Sassella |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Area | Lombardy (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Nebbiolo |
| Aging | 12 months in small 500-litre oak barrels |
- Grape variety and style: 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca), an elegant still red wine
- Origin: Sassella DOCG, Il Glicine vineyard located in San Giacomo di Teglio
- Ageing: 12 months in oak, small 500-litre barrels
- Tasting notes: hints of dog rose and raspberry, mineral profile, pronounced tannins and a persistent finish
- Serving and pairings: decant for 1 hour at 16–18 °C, ideal with red meats and cheeses
Description
What kind of wine it is
Sandro Fay Valtellina Superiore Sassella Il Glicine is a still red wine made exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes. An expression of Valtellina Superiore Sassella, it combines a full-bodied structure with pronounced tannins. Visually, it appears a clear garnet ruby red. The bouquet reveals notes of dog rose, raspberry jam, watermelon and undergrowth, with hints of cinchona and cedarwood. On the palate, it is fresh, balanced by a distinct mineral texture, and finishes with a long, enveloping aftertaste. It pairs ideally with red meats, game and mature cheeses.
Where it comes from
This red originates in Valtellina, specifically from the Il Glicine vineyard in San Giacomo di Teglio. The plot extends over a rocky spur facing south at 470 metres above sea level, dominated by the wisteria plant from which it takes its name. These conditions ensure excellent sun exposure for the Guyot-trained vines. The soil, with its sandy and silty composition and acidic pH, imparts the marked freshness and structural tension typical of this elegant mountain Nebbiolo.
How it is produced
Harvesting takes place in the second half of October to ensure perfect ripeness of the bunches. In the winery, alcoholic fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks to preserve the aromatic integrity, followed by the completion of malolactic fermentation. Maturation continues with twelve months of ageing in small oak barrels, a crucial step to soften the tannins without masking the fruit. This process stabilises the wine’s compact structure, delivering a vibrant and persistent sip.
History and Curiosities
Il Glicine is an elegant Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG that originates from the vineyard of the same name, where a majestic wisteria plant covers the rocky spur at an altitude of 470 metres. Grown on sandy soils with excellent southern exposure, this outstanding pure Nebbiolo expresses the authentic soul of the Lombardy region. Harvested at the end of October, it matures for 12 months in oak barrels, achieving a solid structure that has been awarded the Bibenda 5 Grappoli. A captivating red, able to combine tannic vigour with refined gracefulness.
Awards
-
2022
5Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS) guide This has been one of the most prestigious wine guides in Italy for over 10 years.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1971
- Oenologist: Marco Fay
- Bottles produced: 75.000
- Hectares: 17
In fact, The Fay farm concentrates most of the vineyards in the municipality of Teglio, where the land is predominantly sandy with an 18% of silt but totally free of clay and limestone (that would otherwise give grapes that are too concentrated), while the philosophy of the winery seeks to reward above all the finesse and the souplesse of a vine that here in Valtellina acquires a unique personality that is inimitable elsewhere.
However, the best example of Valtellina is obtained by Fay in another of the five sub-zones, Sassella, represented by Il Glicine, the winery's flagship wine, which has always been awarded the highest recognition by this Guide, confirming itself as a product of extreme class, worthy of being kept in the cellar for a long time to observe its evolution over time.
The entire production is synonymous with excellent quality and each label expresses a different interpretation of the territory and the vine, offering an interpretation of Nebbiolo that is always original and enjoyable. Read more
| Name | Sandro Fay Valtellina Superiore Sassella Nebbiolo Il Glicine 2022 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red green still |
| Denomination | Valtellina Superiore DOCG |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Nebbiolo |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Vendor | Sandro Fay |
| Story | History and Curiosities Il Glicine is an elegant Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG that originates from the vineyard of the same name, where a majestic wisteria plant covers the rocky spur at an altitude of 470 metres. Grown on sandy soils with excellent southern exposure, this outstanding pure Nebbiolo expresses the authentic soul of the Lombardy region. Harvested at the end of October, it matures for 12 months in oak barrels, achieving a solid structure that has been awarded the Bibenda 5 Grappoli. A captivating red, able to combine tannic vigour with refined gracefulness. |
| Origin | San Giacomo di Teglio (Sondrio), Il Glicine vineyard |
| Climate | Altitude 470 m above sea level; south-facing |
| Soil composition | Sandy 70%, silty 20% with acidic pH |
| Cultivation system | Guyot |
| Yield per hectare | 40 h/Ha |
| Harvest | Second half of October |
| Production technique | Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks; completed malolactic fermentation; ageing for 12 months in small 500-litre oak barrels |
| Wine making | Fermentation in stainless steel tanks; malolactic fermentation completed; aged for 12 months in small 500-litre oak barrels. |
| Aging | 12 months in small 500-litre oak barrels |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |