Questo vino

Vineyard and terroir

The fruit came from SanValentino, Pagliaro and Cerrete in the hills of Montefalco, at 400–430 m above sea level. The east–southwest-facing vineyards have clay and silt soils interspersed with layers of river pebbles. The wire-trained vines are planted at approximately 2,000–2,300 vines per hectare, with a yield of 40–50 q/ha.

Grapes

65% Sagrantino, 25% Sangiovese and 10% Montepulciano.

Vinification

The grapes were harvested by hand in the first week of October and transported in small steel containers. Destemming took place at harvest, followed by skin fermentation. Fermentation and maceration lasted 36 days. The wine developed naturally without sulfur, including during harvest.

Ageing

Maturation comprised 20 months in stainless steel, 10 months in large 20 hl wooden barrels and 30 months in bottle.

Technical data

Alcohol: 14.5%. Actual production was 16,600 individually numbered 750 ml bottles.

Tasting profile

Balanced, round, dry and harmonious, with a character that differed from the estate’s wines in a normal growing season.

Serving and pairing

Suggested with meat, pasta dishes, roasted red meat and cheese.

Vintage notes

Persistent, abundant rain from June through the end of September 2002 produced grapes with less colour and thinner skins; grey mould also appeared near harvest. Output fell by 40%. Despite the difficult season, sufficient sugar concentration allowed the wine to develop into an enjoyable result. Because the crop differed markedly from a normal year, all the estate’s red wines were voluntarily declassified and released under this single label, described as “difficult, but amazing.”