The Cult Wine of 121 B.C. as Deal of the Week

Walnut Creek CA

07 March, 2022

6:23 PM

Description

Astroni, Vigna Falanghina Campi Felegri 2016 - From $25.99 to $19.99https://walnutcreekwineshop.co...Falanghina is an ancient variety typically attributed to the Greeks, who first cultivated vineyards in Campania in the 7th century. This variety was also behind Falernian, the most famous wine of Roman antiquity. "The origins of Falernian wine are the stuff of legend. The story goes that an old Roman farmer (Falernus) eked a humble existence from the soil of Mt. Massico, about 30 miles north of Naples, when one day he was visited by Bacchus in disguise. Falernus prepared him a simple meal, and in gratitude for the hospitality, the god of wine caused the cups at the table to fill. When a hungover Falernus awoke the next day, Bacchus was gone, and the whole mountain was blanketed with healthy vine."Falernian was probably a varietal wine made from a grape the Romans called Aminea Gemina. It was grown in three vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Massico, where the primary white grape grown is Falanghina. Falernian may have been either white or red, no one knows but the 121 B.C. vintage (the vintage of a lifetime!) was celebrated for decades; multiple ancient sources mention having the chance to taste the wine 200 years after its vintage date." ~ Wine SpectatorVigna Astroni's Falanghina of Campi Flegrei Cru grows on the outer slopes of the Astroni Crater on sandy soil with volcanic origins. The grapes come from an organic, single terraced vineyard of 1.5 hectares The wine is bottled after 8 months of aging in stainless steel tanks without refrigeration and gentle filtration. Tasting Notes: A deep straw yellow color. Mineral notes combine with elegant toasted sweet almond and light herbaceous scents. Sapidity is the first impact noted during tasting which is then followed by a lively acidity. These components interact well with the smoothness of the wine.Jancis Robinson"Intense straw yellow. A wine chock-full of minerals, savoury white fruit and grapefruit. Impressive interpretation of Falanghina and highly original." 17.5/20 points