Country: Italy
Region: Toscana Appellation: Toscana IGT
Grape Variety:
Sangiovese 34%, Merlot 33%, Cabernet Sauvignon 33%
Alcohol: 13.5%
Aging: French oak barriques
Soil: Silty clay soil, rich in limestone with a high presence of stones
Altitude: 320 m.a.s.l
Aging potential: 5 to 15 years
Serving Temperature: 59 to 65°F
The Grape:
“Super Tuscan” is a term used to describe red wines from Tuscany that may include non-indigenous grapes like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon often in conjunction with Sangiovese, although is not always the case. The creation of super Tuscan wines resulted from the frustration winemakers had towards a slow bureaucracy in changing Italy’s wine law during the 1970s. Winemakers began mixing ‘unsanctioned’ wine varieties (like Merlot) into their blends to make high-quality wines. The legal system eventually yielded in 1992 with the creation of IGT, a new designation that gave winemakers the ability to be more creative.
Winemaking:
Grapes are firstly selected during harvest in the vineyard and then on the sorting table when they arrive to the winery; they are destemmed and the whole berries are immediately put into stainless steel fermentation tanks and a portion into French oak fermenters. The temperature is computer controlled in the tanks where the must is kept in contact with the skins for about 20-25 days where remontage occurs every 6-8 hours and one delestage is done per week. Malolactic fermentation occurs in French oak fermenting tanks and in stainless steel tanks. Maturation on fine lees for 6 months in barriques and oak fermenters, 8 months in barriques (second passage)
Tasting Notes:
Spicy notes of oak rise above distinct aromas of cherry and berry. The palate has a backbone of Sangiovese, a roundness of Merlot and enhanced body from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit purity and varietal signatures are testament to the meticulous care given to the vines. Note: Some sediment may occur in the bottom of the bottle as the wine is not filtered.
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