Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002

Mymi Thesingingsommelier 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…

Heather Wall 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

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

Jon Steeves 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.

Matt Steeves 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.

Sean O'Regan 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.

Tania Thomas 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.