LaStella Fortissimo Receives Rave Reviews
2008 Fortissimo was the first edition of this wine and the reception and press has been overwhelming! Below are some of the highlights:
 | | Chef Robert Clark preparing his "deconstructed Fortissimo" Sauce |
This year Gold Medal Plates' Canada Culinary Championship event took place in Kelowna and was a very exciting event for LaStella. 'Fortissimo' was selected as the mystery wine for the first round of competition. Each of 9 regional champions cooked a dish to match with the intriguing Super Tuscan inspired wine.
The Slavonian Oak aged Sangiovese in the Fortissimo added a food friendly, old world complexity that offered a fantastic challenge for Canada's top chefs.
A special congratulations to chef Robert Clark and Sommelier Kim Cyr from 'C' Restaurant in Vancouver for not only taking home the bronze medal but also for identifying the wine and creating a wonderful dish mirroring the flavours of the wine by incorporating cinnamon, anise and fennel in the sauce of their Cannelloni stuffed with Bison Tartar.
 | | LaStella Fortissimo at Canada Culinary Championship (CCC) |
This isn't the only highlight for Fortissimo lately! In late November John Schreiner tasted through a lineup of BC's best at Simon Wosk's VQA wine store in Richmond and reported his notes on his blog. Among a lineup of BC's best (and most expensive) wines the LaStella Fortissimo finished 3rd and was easily the least expensive wine in the lineup. John had the following to say: "a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese (about 8% of the latter). This wine, aged mostly in puncheons rather than smaller barrels, begins with sweet berry aromas (blackberry, currant). On the palate, it has savoury, minty flavours with notes of cherry. It is a concentrated wine with firm tannins". 91 points David Lawrason also scored this wine: Patterned on Italy's super-Tuscans Fortissimo is a blend of cabernet, merlot and sangiovese, the latter from young vines in their first year of production.with sour edged acidity fending off the ripeness, density and tannin often found in big reds of the south Okanagan. The nose captures sour cherry-raspberry fruit, sage, leather, well toned oak spice and chocolate. It's mid-weight, vibrant and mouthwatering without being too aggressive or tannic. A year or two in the cellar will calm it down a notch - it should provide enjoyment through the decade. Length is excellent. 91 Points
Deanna Van Mulligan (the "wine Diva"): "A blend of: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese, aged in French and Slovonian oak barrels and puncheons and is made from grapes in La Stella's sustainably farmed vineyards in the South Okanagan. Sweet, upfront fruit aromas - cherries and ripe berries with hints of dried fruit, leather and tobacco with chocolate and a seam of mediterranean herbs throughout. It has nice structure with plenty of fruit on the palate, finely woven with leather, tobacco and cedar flavours - the finish is smooth with hints of toast and dark roasted coffee." 90 points
2008 Fortissimo
Regular Price: $35
How To Purchase: You have options. Aside from our Online Shop, you can place your order by calling us at 604-697-0988 or by email sales@lastella.ca
Please review our ordering page for shipping regulations and details. Remember you can always
create your own mixed case of wine, as long as your order is in increments of 6 (for safe shipping reasons).
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