Corte Gardoni Le Fontane Garda Cabernet DOC

In the glass

Aroma: blackcurrant, cedar, violets, green herb

Palate: dark fruit, medium tannins, mineral, herbal

The Le Fontane (the springs) red from Corte Gardoni is a Garda DOC Cabernet-based blend aged in oak. The Garda DOC permits Bordeaux varieties and the morainic soils of Valeggio sul Mincio give the Cabernet a mineral freshness that distinguishes it from warmer Veneto reds.

What it pairs with

• Grilled pork with sage butter
  Herbal Cabernet notes echo the sage while firm structure handles the pork fat.
• Roasted duck with polenta taragna
  Dark fruit and firm tannins match well with the richness of duck and buckwheat polenta.

History

Corte Gardoni introduced Bordeaux-variety reds in the late 1980s, taking advantage of the Garda DOC's allowance of international varieties. Named for the natural springs (fontane) on the estate, Le Fontane Cabernet represents the estate's attempt to produce a serious red alongside the lighter Bardolino Classico.

1. 1988 — Corte Gardoni launches Le Fontane Cabernet as a Garda DOC oak-aged red.

Facts

Producer

Corte Gardoni

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Classification

Garda Cabernet DOC

Oak

12 months in French and Slavonian oak

ABV

13.5%

Price

EUR 16-24 at retail

Drinking window

4-12 from vintage

First vintage

1988

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