Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 327,316 strong:

Register Today!

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002 Wine Review

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002

Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy

Community Score:94/100

Community Reviews: 9

  Add My Review


Price: $119.95

Drink: 2014-2020

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Sparkling Wine


Winery: Ferrari

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 96/100

This exceptional Italian sparkling wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes planted at 500-600 metres above sea level and hand-picked in several rounds for maximum ripeness and complexity. This Cru bubbly from the Maso Pianizza vineyard is a wine of great length and complexity that also ages well. The 2002 Founder's Reserve vintage was disgorged in 2014. Benchmark Italian sparkling wine from the much-respected Lunelli family of Trento, Italy.

Scrumptious Seafood Wine

This Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002 was reviewed on October 30, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings

Tania Thomas - CSW, WSET ADV rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

The most awarded Italian Sparkling Wine crafted with chardonnay grapes exclusively, comes with effortless elegance, unbeatable complexity and unique aging ability. Bursting with tropical aromas and flavours of ripe pineapple, creamy honey, a whiff of white floral notes and great minerality. Lingering white chocolate notes and an incredible complexity due to a ten-year maturation period on its lees. Enjoy this fabulous and luxurious sparkling wine on its own to get the full benefit of its undeniable greatness.
Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002 is Ferrari's ultra premium vintage metodo classico sparkling wine that pays tribute to the founder's mission of creating ultra premium luxurious sparkling wines from their high altitude vineyards in Trentino, Italy. Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002 is made from 100% Chardonnay, picked from the Lunelli family's Maso Pianizza vineyard that lies between 1,640 ft. and 1,970 ft. above sea level. Aged for 12 years on its lees before it was disgorged in 2014, the result is a remarkably complex and intriguing wine of the highest quality. The colour is a rich golden yellow, the nose displaying stone fruit, dried apricot, hazelnut, and subtle sweet honey notes. The ultra fine micro bubbles, combined with a mineral rich and nutty flavour profile, produce an elegant, complex, and remarkably balanced and fresh mouthfeel that speaks volumes to the countless awards this iconic Italian wine has earned. Enjoy 2015-2025. Tasted October 2015. 95 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Ferrari was also recently nominated for 'Best European Winery' by Wine Enthusiast at the Wine Star Awards, the prestigious prize that the American magazine will hand out at the end of 2015. The winners will be announced in the Wine Enthusiast’s special “Best of Year” issue, and they will be honoured at a gala black-tie dinner in New York City on Jan. 25, 2016.
Cherie Cole rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

The perfect example of elegance and preciseness, this wine will captivate you from first glance. Light gold with delicate, tiny bubbles, this 2002 vintage was made with specially selected Chardonnay grapes from the Maso Pianizza vineyard residing at almost 600 meters above sea level. The high altitude contributes to this wine's crisp minerality, adding a layer of depth. With unbeatable complexity, your senses will be awakened by aromas and flavors of pineapple and lychee leading into secondary aromas of white chocolate pastry and marzipan. Harmonious and brilliant! Tasted October 19, 2015 - Ferrari Portfolio Tasting#ferraritrento
Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

Quality abounds in this beautiful Metodo Classico Italian sparkling wine from the prestigious house of Ferrari Trentodoc. This elegant Cru sparkler has been crafted using 100% Chardonnay grapes selected with extreme care from the Maso Pianizza vineyard. It has been aged 12 years on it's lees with selected yeasts from Ferrari's own cultures and disgorged in 2014. This is a sparkling produced for longevity and sure to rival the top Champagne houses. Complex and enticing like a sweet seduction - it leaves one wanting more. Vanilla, smoke, honey, floral, wet straw, white chocolate, lychee, toffee and butter. Tiny persistent mousse create sparkle to the deep lemon colour and carry enticing aromas to the nose. The palate finishes with a lingering toffee and biscuit sweetness. This sparkling Italian wine would make any celebration classy and memorable.
Tasted: October 2015 #FerrariTrento
Mymi Thesingingsommelier - Sommelier, FWS rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

In 1952, Giulio Ferrari, a man with no heir sold his small Trento winery to Bruno Lunelli to continue in his footsteps and continue crafting his superior quality sparkling wines which at the time were only produced in very small quantities.
But that was all about to change.
Over time, with much hard work and a vision, Bruno Lunelli and his sons were able to transform Ferrari from a relatively small operation vineyard to the celebratory toast of Italy and the leader in the Metodo Classico sparkling wine market.
Today, the Lunelli Group is led by the family’s third generation and still abides by faithful principles.
This 2002 Giulio Ferrari Riserva Del Fondatore won the award for the best sparkling wine in Italy in 2013.
It is comprised of carefully selected 100% Chardonnay from the Maso Pianizza vineyard in the Trento hills and the wine spent at least 10 years maturing on its lees.
The wine is a deep straw-colored yellow with a multitude of the tiniest scattered bubbles.
It exudes aromas of freshly melted butter, juicy ripe peaches with a little herbal element and wild flower honey.
Explosion of buttery brioche, stone fruit flesh and crème brûlée on the palate! Stunning minerality. Graceful, stylish and dry with an exquisite bubbly mousse texture. Lingering finish.
Pure sensuality in a glass…
Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

The Ferrari vintage 2002 Founder's Reserve was disgorged in 2014. 100% Chardonnay varietal hand harvested in multiple rounds to ensure premium quality inputs into the still wine. Elaborated uniquely from the Maso Pianizza vineyard in mid-September 2002 at an elevation of 500-600 meters above sea level. 12.5% ABV, brilliant golden straw, the 2002 vintage was an exceptional year in this sub region. This label was first vilified in 1972 and has been chosen in exceptional years. Attributes are finely integrated and exceptionally well balanced, elegant and velvety. A unique expression of Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, with notes of white chocolate, wildflower honey, roasted hazelnut, and apple blossom. This wine offers value and exceptional quality in a unique #sparkling vintage #mountainwine, precise, clean, elegant, handmade with love by the Lunelli family of Trento, Italy. Versatile and calling to be enjoyed with or without food, and is a sure-thing crowd pleaser for adventurous bubble-lovers.
Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

This is an iconic and award winning sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and aged on lees for at least 10 years. Medium gold hue, with an intense and expressive nose of tropical pineapple, peach, apple, toast, yeast, caramel and mineral. Fine creamy mousse on the palate with great complexity and freshness despite the age, showing candied lemon, apple, toffee, nuttiness and minerality - all perfectly balanced on a long long finish which begs for another sip. This is outstanding value in the context of premium sparkling/Champagne, perfect for celebrating special occasions. 94+
Tasted Oct 2015 at Ferrari portfolio tasting.

1 Member would buy this wine again

If you liked the Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002, you might also like these wines:

Recipes for Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

The Tragically Hip Red Wine
2021,
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 327,316 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  

248,571

WINE
REVIEWS

327,316

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award