Fratelli SETTE 2013
Full-bodied dry red wine, crafted in a bold, elegant Bordeaux-meets-Super-Tuscan style utilizing meticulous barrel aging. · Fratelli Vineyards, a pioneering Indo-Italian venture established in 2007 by the Secci brothers and the Granmonte family, alongside legendary Tuscan winemaker Piero Antinori. It is widely considered India's premier luxury wine estate, bridging Italian winemaking expertise with the unique terroir of Akluj, Maharashtra.
Vintage: 2013, an excellent growing season in Maharashtra marked by steady monsoons followed by a dry, temperate winter ripening period, yielding concentrated fruit and exceptional structural balance.
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine, crafted in a bold, elegant Bordeaux-meets-Super-Tuscan style utilizing meticulous barrel aging.
Producer
Fratelli Vineyards, a pioneering Indo-Italian venture established in 2007 by the Secci brothers and the Granmonte family, alongside legendary Tuscan winemaker Piero Antinori. It is widely considered India's premier luxury wine estate, bridging Italian winemaking expertise with the unique terroir of Akluj, Maharashtra.
Country
India, an emerging fine wine frontier where tropical viticulture meets modern precision winemaking, defying traditional Old World vs. New World paradigms through innovative canopy management and microclimate exploitation.
Vintage
2013, an excellent growing season in Maharashtra marked by steady monsoons followed by a dry, temperate winter ripening period, yielding concentrated fruit and exceptional structural balance.
Region & Appellation
Akluj, Solapur district, Maharashtra, India. Grown within Fratelli's proprietary vineyards in the Bhigwan and Garwar regions, representing the cutting edge of Indian viticulture.
Grape Varieties
A proprietary red blend, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (typically around 60-70%) blended with Sangiovese and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, combining structural backbone with vibrant acidity and aromatic complexity.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-garnet core with a translucent brick-red rim, showing moderate viscosity with slow-moving, glycerin-rich legs that indicate concentration and maturity.
Aroma Profile
Intense and layered nose featuring primary notes of ripe black cherry, cassis, and plum, complemented by secondary nuances of vanilla and sweet tobacco, evolving into tertiary notes of leather, cedar, and subtle earthy undertones.
Tasting Notes
A powerful yet harmonious palate opening with lush dark berry fruits, transitioning into a complex mid-palate of spice, cocoa, and fine-grained tannins, culminating in a long, warming, and satisfyingly structured finish.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry, black currant, and dried fig, interwoven with savory notes of dried herbs, clove, eucalyptus, and a distinct toasted oak and espresso bean character derived from barrel aging.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, mouth-coating texture, plush concentration, and a refined, smooth extract level that balances its substantial weight.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity provides refreshing lift against the rich fruit profile, balanced by firm, mature, and fine-grained tannins that offer excellent grip without being overly astringent.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry, with zero residual sugar, balanced by ripe, succulent fruit extract and integrated alcohol.
Alcohol Content
13.5% ABV, typical for a balanced, structured red wine from this warm-climate region, providing pleasant warmth without feeling heavy or hot.
Aging & Oak
Aged for 14 months in French oak barriques, followed by extensive bottle aging before release, imparting refined notes of vanilla, toast, and subtle baking spices.
Food Pairings
Ideal for pairing with rich summer evening barbecued lamb chops, grilled ribeye steak with a mushroom reduction, spiced Indian rogan josh, or aged hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux-style glass. Decant for 45 to 60 minutes to allow the complex aromas to open up. Enjoy in its mature drinking window.
Price Range
$25 - $40 USD, offering exceptional value for a flagship, premium-tier international-style blend.
Quality Assessment
90-92 points, standing as a benchmark icon wine for Indian viticulture and demonstrating impressive complexity, aging capacity, and critical acclaim globally.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested in the cool early morning hours, rigorous sorting, temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation with selected yeasts, traditional pump-overs, and careful assemblage before French oak maturation.
Terroir
Grown in fertile Sahyadri valley alluvial and calcium carbonate-rich soils, characterized by high daytime temperatures moderated by cool nights and unique tropical monsoonal rainfall patterns.
History & Heritage
Founded in 2007, Fratelli revolutionized the Indian wine landscape by planting 350 acres of vineyards from scratch and enlisting Piero Antinori, creating India's first true luxury wine estate.
Interesting Facts
The name 'Sette' means 'Seven' in Italian, paying homage to the seven brothers and founders behind the Fratelli enterprise. It is frequently poured at state banquets representing modern Indian luxury.
Cellaring Potential
Approaching peak maturity but holding well; can be enjoyed now through the next 3 to 5 years when stored in optimal cellar conditions.
Similar Wines
Super Tuscan blends such as Antinori Tignanello, structured Napa Valley Cabernet blends, or premium South African Bordeaux blends.