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Ferenc Máté, author of The Hills of Tuscany and Ghost Sea, and his wife Candace, a painter, left New York City in 1990 for the Tuscan countryside. In one of the world’s most prestigious wine zones, the seaward slopes of Montalcino, they bought an ancient, abandoned farm with two hills, a canyon with waterfalls and a 13th century friary with a tower and courtyard. Their neighbors were world-renowned wine makers Angelo Gaja and Gianfranco Soldera.
Being perfectionists, the Mátés performed a “museum quality” restoration of the friary, then hired Gaja’s agronomist and France’s Pierre Guillaume to select the best varietals and clones in planting their four vineyards of wonderfully varied exposition, elevation and soil composition.
Their Syrah and Merlot debuted in 2006 from the difficult 2002 vintage. Their success was immediate: Wine & Spirits gave the Merlot 90 points, and Dr. Michael Apstein of the Boston Globe, rated the Syrah 92 points, calling it, “remarkable: luscious...gorgeously layered and seductive.“
Although not certified organic, the Mate practice organic viticulture rigorously.
The grapes are selected, hand-picked, then re-selected. Using only the healthiest fruit allows for a minimum of intervention during the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in small temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, while the Syrah ferments in new 500-litre French oak barrels. The must is punched down by hand four to five times a day to extract colors and tannins, while the temperature is kept cool to maintain the rich aromas of fruits and spices. The wines then spend up to three years in French oak: 500-litre barrels for the Brunello and 225-litre barriques for the Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. After bottling, the wines rest for at least nine months before being released. |
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| Brunello di Montalcino |
Aged for 3 years in 500 liters French oaks barrels and for 1 year in bottle before being released.
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| Banditone Syrah |
This is an exceptionally rich Syrah, named after the stream that runs below its terraced south-facing, half-acre vineyard. Luscious, with aromas of plum, red currant, violets and black pepper.
WINE SPECTATOR 92
"Offers rich plum and black pepper character on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish.Caressing and pretty. Hard to resist now. Best after 2008"
100 cases made
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| Mantus Merlot |
"It was decided that Merlot would do best in the soil on our property that contained the most clay (home to the famous Bordeaux Merlot Petrus). This particular terroir produces a deep ruby-red-colored wine with rich red-berry flavors and smooth tannins."
WINE SPECTATOR 91
"Aromas of plum, blackberry and chocolate. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Delicious."
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| San Antiamo Cabernet |
WINE SPECTATOR 91
Loads of fresh currant and mineral waiting to burst through. Full-bodied, with firm, fruit-and-mineral-coated tannins and a long, mineral finish.
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| Albatro |
45% Sangiovese, 45% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
IGT Toscana
91 Pts Wine & Spirits
"(...)smooth and rich enough to enjoy when it’s first opened. It’s a modern style, firmly built, black and savory,with scents of anise that develop as it takes on air. Decant it for pasta with grilled fennel sausage."
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