Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The wine comes from Vigna Alta and Lungostrada, two parcels at the Campogiovanni estate in Montalcino, Siena. Their Sangiovese vines were planted in the 1970s. The medium-textured soils are composed largely of silt and sand with some clay, resting on sandstone and calcareous marl. The vines are trained to spur-pruned cordon.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese. Only in exceptional growing seasons are grapes from these old vines vinified, matured and bottled separately as a limited-edition Brunello di Montalcino.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested during the first week of October. Maceration lasts 25 days at 28–30°C, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks.
Ageing
The wine matures for 36 months in 500-litre French oak vessels, followed by 18 years in bottle.
Technical data
The 2011 vintage has 15.5% alcohol, total acidity of 6.0 g/L and residual sugar below 0.7 g/L. Production amounted to 1,200 bottles. The wine is presented in 0.75-litre and 1.5-litre formats and has a stated cellaring potential of 25 years.
Tasting profile
Intense garnet red. Aromas evoke tea leaves, tobacco, cocoa and spices. The palate is enveloping and expansive, with concentration, silky tannins and a long aromatic finish.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18°C.
Vintage notes
The end of winter preceding the 2011 harvest was mild and rainy. Spring arrived approximately ten days early, with temperatures above seasonal averages. Rainfall in late May and early June created good water reserves, while the warm summer brought the grapes to full ripeness. Quality was excellent, although the harvested quantity was approximately 10% lower than in preceding years.
Label / history
The name refers to the old Sangiovese vines planted during the 1970s. The first released vintage was 2007, made in only a few hundred bottles and offered in leather-clad wooden cases containing three bottles.
