As most of you know, Sartori’s BellaVitano line of cheeses has long been a favorite around “The Manse” as our dear Spaulding liked to call home.
Recently, my friends at Sartori Cheese sent me a wedge of their Family Heirloom, 18-Month BellaVitano, cheese that is generally set aside for the Sartori family.
In honor of Sartori’s 75th Anniversary, a limited amount of this special age Bella is being released to the public… I was lucky to be included.
The Man and I decided to save this 18-Month Bella for one of our special occasions and enjoyed it recently while on vacation out at the Oregon Coast. I kept it simple and served it with 34° Natural Crispbread Crackers.
When you split open the wrapping, the enjoyment begins with the sweet aroma of Bella. An aroma that lasts long beyond the tasting; it’s an aroma that hangs around in the recesses of the brain, reminding you just how good this cheese is. (Of the hundreds, maybe more than a thousand, cheeses I have tasted, I can count on one hand the number that “hang around”… and have one or two fingers left… yep; it’s that good.)
Bellas always melt in your mouth and this special 18-Month Bella is no exception. It’s both creamy and crumbly. which according to its cheesemaker, Sartori Master Cheesemaker, Mike Matucheski, is a result of its age.
The flavor notes are sweet, like the aroma, with a nuttiness that lingers with a caramel finish.
I’m sure this cheese pairs well with most any jam, jelly or preserve, but let me ask you… why would you want to waste this cheese? You owe it to yourself to eat it all by itself and savor it.
However, a little Merlot won’t diminish the enjoyment of this Limited Edition of Sartori’s luscious BellaVitano.
This is definitely a 4 Paws cheese; one that deserves nothing less than our highest rating… and, yes, The Man swooned… another indication of excellence…
You can find this Family Heirloom 18-Month BellaVitano at specialty cheese shops from now until the end of 2014. Don’t wait, because when it’s gone… it’s gone.
FTC Full Disclosure – The manufacturer sent me their product(s), without any obligation on my part, hoping I would review the product/cheese. For more information, please see my About Me page.
You can read Spaulding’s interview with Jim Sartori here.
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