Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) is selected from parcels on the Rhaetian slopes between Teglio and Tirano, including holdings cultivated by small growers. The vines are 15–20 years old and give regular but limited crops of loose clusters with medium-small berries. Fruit is selected for its balance of sugars and polyphenols.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca).
Vinification
The grapes are picked slightly overripe so that the skin tannins begin with less astringency. After the berries are removed from the stems, the must enters fermentation and maceration with approximately 20% of the berries still whole. Temperature and fermentation development are monitored continuously. Frequent pump-overs and punch-downs continue for about ten days to extract the polyphenols.
Ageing
After drawing off, the wine is transferred immediately to oak casks of 15–25 hL, where malolactic fermentation is completed. It then spends about 15 months in second- and third-use French oak barriques, followed by six months in bottle.
Technical data
Alcohol: 12.5–13% vol. Total acidity: 5.2–5.7 g/L. pH: 3.5–3.7. Dry extract: 28–32 g/L.
Tasting profile
A suitably deep ruby red, developing slight brick-red reflections with time. Aromas focus on ripe cherry and plum, with fleeting fresh-hay and subtle vanilla nuances. The palate is broad, smooth and rounded, with a dense, succulent body and recurring red-fruit impressions.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 16–18°C. Suitable for white meats, substantial red-meat dishes and hearty first courses such as risotto, pasta and polenta.
The release date is fixed by the production rules at 1 December of the second year after harvest. The wine already shows body and smoothness on release and reaches its maximum potential after approximately six or seven years.
