I know I mentioned recently that I LOVE MY JOB! Let me temper your excitement by noting that, life is not simple in my world, and my husband and I are dealing with huge, unplanned life changes. The wine world, and this new business for us, is a way to cope and manage. So, when things fall into place and we have a spectacular day, I can’t help but shout about it!
One of our wine reps, Clay with Serendipity, invited us to San Antonio for a luncheon today, with the wines of Il Borro, Toscana. If you haven’t heard this name before, maybe you’ve heard the name Salvatore Ferragamo? Back in the 1920s, he was the Italian immigrant who was infamous for making custom shoes for the Hollywood elite. Over time, a mer cobbler became the leader of a fashion empire. After returning to Italy, he and his family continued to grow his empire. Actually, we had the pleasure of staying at the Ferragamo Lungaro hotel in Florence last year, and it was fantastic. But, as usual, I’m getting a bit off topic…
Salvatore’s widow, Wanda, remained the head of the company for many years following his death in the 1960s. She, along with their 6 children, expanded the company further by adding ready-to-wear fashion for both women and men, along with handbags and silk scarfs. A rule stands, still today, that only 3 family members may be in the Ferragamo fashion business at one time. The rest have to figure things out for themselves – with the support of the family, of course.
Today, as we arrived at Paseano’s at Lincoln Park in San Antonio, we were greeted by other wine industry professionals. Soon, Salvatore and his wife Christine, arrived in our private dining room, accompanied by their lead representative in the US market. This good looking, charismatic Italian (who, of course, was impeccably dressed), eased into the room and apologized to the group for interrupting the lunch. We hadn’t been served yet, and he wasn’t interrupting, he was the main attraction! Needless to say, he was down to earth, and did I say, charismatic? It ended up that my husband and I were seated, by accident, next to the guests of honor. Christine was lovely to talk to, and we learned they just flew in that morning from Las Vegas. We also learned that she is from Hungary, and she LOVES the Il Borro Lamelle, which is a Burgundian style Chardonnay we had during lunch!
The young Salvatore is the grandson of the elder we’ve all come to know by name. His twin brother, James, works in fashion, and Salvatore became involved in wine at an early age. Back in 1993, 400 acres was purchased by Salvatore and the family. Here’s the story, as we were told today:
“The name Borro, which probably meant a chasm or gorge in Tuscan dialect, was originally that of a fortress built to defend a strategic area crossed by stretches of the Clodia and Cassia, two important Roman roads. The first written record of the Castle dates back to 1254, when a Milanesse nobleman, Marquis Borro Borri, who had become podesta or mayor of Arezzo, purchased the property from the Mascagni family. It was in the 16ht center, under the patronage of condottiere and political figure, Alessandro del Borro, the true ‘father’ of Il Borro, that the first transformations and extensions to the stronghold began to shape the spectacular estate we know today. In the mid-fifties, Il Borro passed to Duke Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, and in 1993, the Duke sold the entire property to Ferruccio Ferragamo. “An enduring act of faith,” as Ferruccio likes to say. For many years, the Ferragamo Family had rented the Tuscan estate, until they made the decision to buy it. As soon as he had purchased the property, Ferruccio, aided by his son Salvatore, began extensive restoration and refurbishment of this ancient place, which still bore the scars of the Second World War. At the heart of the entire restoration project was a desire to bring the estate back to life, preserving its traditions and history, while at the same time making those improvements that make this place a perfect continuum between past, present and future.”
In discussion with Salvatore and Christine, we learned the original 400 acre estate is now 2,00o acres, with about 90 hectors under vine and stretching into the mountains above the estate. The entire property is essentially a medieval village, or hamlet, as it would have been centuries ago. But restored and renovated to a lustrous charm. Not only can you visit for wine tasting, but the entire estate is part of Relais & Chateaux boutique hotels. I have to say, its now at the top of my list for our European wine travel over the next year!
As for the wines, we started the luncheon with Il Borro 2017 Rose. All of the wines are produced with a focus on terroir and sustainability. This rose is 100% Sangiovese, made in the French Provencial style. You’ll find the wine dry with layers of ripe fruits flavors. At $23 a bottle, I can easily see this wine becoming a part of our Rose flight, once we find the other Sangiovese partners to put beside it. And if you follow numbers, this one is 92 points by James Suckling.
Next, we were served Il Borro Lamelle 2017 with our salads of spinach, Romaine and Champagne vinaigrette. This wine is 100% Chardonnay, made in the Burgundian style. It is bright, fresh and flavorful. The balanced acidity keeps your mouth watering for more. It paired very well with the salad, and I asked for an extra taste. I’d try this wine with a Caesar Salad, which is hard to pair, but should go well. At a price of $30 per bottle, this is a delicious wine that I’d like to have on hand at home.
Our first red wine poured was a Super Tuscan labeled Il Borro Pian Di Nova 2015. This bottling is 75% Syrah with 25% Sangiovese and was silky smooth. There is a medium body because ether wines are aged 10 months in neutral casks instead of standard barrels, so there isn’t an overwhelming oak presence. Syrah does well in the warm climate of Tuscany, and Sangiovese brings an acidity to the wine for balance. With smooth tannins and jammy dark fruit flavors, a hint of vanilla, baking spices, and hint of cracked white peppercorns, I’d have this wine with many Italian dishes and its smooth enough to enjoy without needing food. At a bottle price of $35, its a great Friday-night-dinner-at-h0me wine! The first Super Tuscan wine was blended back in 1971 by Antinori. There are some good examples to pull into a flight at Perspective Cellars – perhaps Flat Creek or Perissos from Texas, along with something from the Valle de Guadalupe for New World. Hmmm…a bit of research for me to do!
And finally, with our entrees, we were poured the Il Borro 2015 Toscana. This is a Heritage with 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% Petite Verdot. The wine is velvety smooth with tannins that add structure but not bite. Salvatore described the wine making as using T5 Baroque instead of standard barrels, and these are set on top of hot charcoal for 5 to 6 hours when first placed in oak. This vintage is the first to be certified organic. You’ll notice a complexity in the wines which includes flavors of blackberry jam, tobacco, dark chocolate, vanilla bean and a touch of old leather. Did I already mention the smooth, velvety mouth feel? At $80 a bottle, this isn’t necessarily a Tuesday night wine for home, but then again, some Tuesdays deserve a wine that goes down this easily!
Here’s a great article: https://www.winemag.com/2017/03/29/salvatore-ferragamo-winery-owner-and-fashion-leader/
And a link to the site for Il Borro, where you’ll learn about their wines and this beautiful estate: https://www.ilborro.it/en/index?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5L-h9oWm4AIVnrjACh2i_Ap3EAAYASAAEgJTSfD_BwE