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The
wines of Inama,
Soave, Italy
Azienda Agricola Inama, Via IV Novembre 1, 37047 San
Bonifacio (VR), Italy
Tel: +39 0348 444 1444
Website: www.inamaaziendaagricola.it
UK agent: Winetraders (01865 251 851)
Let me start by saying that I was very excited by this line
up of wines. It’s very rare to try through a producer’s range of wines and
rate as many as three of them as excellent, but Stefano Inama has put in a
near-perfect performance. Prices are still sane, also. Before I wrote
these stunning wines up I wanted to be sure about my judgements, so I
tried the majority of them again a couple of months later and
confirmed my ratings. Particularly exciting are the top Soave, the barrel-fermented Sauvignon
Blance, and the exotically rich Montepulciano.
Inama Soave Classico 2001
Made from hand-harvested pergola-trained Garganega grapes, fermented
and aged in stainless steel. Quite a distinctive herbal edge to the
nose: bright and fruity. Rounded rich palate with lots of flavour and
a savoury minerally edge. An interesting, characterful wine. Very
good/excellent (£7.99 Sainsbury)
Inama Soave Classico ‘Vigneti di Foscarino’ 2000
Made from a selection of old vines grown at the top of Monte Foscarino.
Pergola trained Garganega grapes. Remarkable forward herby nose with
waxy, nutty complexity. Really rich, spectacular palate with a spicy,
herby edge. Quite brilliant: a lovely complex savoury white wine. Very
good/excellent (£12)
Inama Soave Classico ‘Vigneto du Lot’ 2001
From an experimental vineyard planted in 1993: instead of pergola
training, the Garganega grapes are grown in a permanent cordon and are
spur pruned. 50% new Allier oak is used. Striking rich herby, toasty
nutty nose. Rich exotic ripe palate with straw and herb edge to the
savoury nutty palate. Excellent (£16.50)
Inama Sauvignon del Veneto ‘Vulcaia’ IGT
Sauvignon was planted on the slopes of Monte Foscarino in 1986 by
Stefano’s father Guiseppe. This is fermented and aged in stainless
steel. Deep coloured. Exotic, rich nose showing sweet herby fruit with
a savoury edge. Soft, herby palate with some maturity to it. Unusual.
Very good+ (£10)
Inama Sauvignon del Veneto ‘Vulcaia Fume’ 2000
A selection of the best grapes fermented in barriques, 50% of
which are new. Remarkably complex rich nose is herby and toasty with
some liqueur-like notes. The palate is dense and rich, with intense
herby complexity. Bold and rich, this is remarkable stuff that’s
brilliantly different. Excellent (£20)
Inama Bradisismo Cabernet Sauvignon del Veneto 1999
From vineyards in the Colli Berici, which has a rich terrarossa
soil. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Carmenère (15%) and
Cabernet Franc (15%) aged in new French barriques. Dense, refined
spicy blackcurrant fruit with a savoury, chalky edge. Taut, dense
palate is vividly fruited with a minerally core and good acid. Vivid,
taut and concentrated. Very good/excellent (£20)
Aziendo Agricola Bionomio, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2000
Stefano Inama purchased a 4.2 ha parcel of old vine Montepulciano
(of a special clone) in the heart of Abruzzo. This wine is aged in new
French barriques. Rich, intense exotic nose is liqouricey and ripe
with intense spicy and menthol notes. The palate is super-concentrated
and spicy with lush, intense berry fruit and some oak evident. A
modern, supercharged style but still with lots of character. Excellent
(£25)
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