Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Cuculaia is made only in vintages considered excellent and comes exclusively from the eponymous Vigna Cuculaia within the Il Castagno estate. The vineyard is distinguished by its particular soil and a maximum yield of 40 q/ha from 5,000 vines. Fruit is selected throughout the growing season specifically for this wine. Grapes from the vineyard that do not enter Cuculaia may contribute to Il Castagno alongside separately vinified parcels selected elsewhere on the estate.
Grapes
100% Syrah. Harvest is strictly manual, generally no earlier than the end of September, using small perforated 15 kg crates.
Vinification
An extremely gentle crushing and destemming process is intended to keep the berries intact. Fermentation starts spontaneously in stainless-steel tanks, with temperature controlled only when required. Maceration lasts at least four weeks. Malolactic fermentation is spontaneous, without inoculated bacteria, and involves only free-run wine; press wine is not used.
Ageing
Maturation lasts at least 24 months on fine lees in selected French-oak vessels from Allier, Nevers and Tronçais. These include barriques and custom-made 15 hl casks. Depending on the vintage, a small portion may be aged in the estate's restored old concrete vats. Selection continues in the cellar through periodic tasting of every cask.
Technical data
Dark, impenetrable ruby red with violet reflections. Alcohol: 15%. Production ranges from only a few hundred bottles to a maximum of 3,000; the technical section states annual production of 3,000 bottles. Formats: 750 ml and 1,500 ml.
Tasting profile
Opulent yet harmonious, balanced, finely textured, elegant and lively. The nose combines intense floral and fruit aromas with dark chocolate, cinnamon, liquorice and a mineral graphite finish. More specific notes include black pepper, meat, ripe woodland berries, dried fruit, sour cherries, mulberries, currants, blackberries, red roses, dark tobacco and sweet spices. The palate is full and spicy, with ripe red and black fruit, preserves, balsamic and mineral nuances, pleasant acidity and silky tannins integrated into the wine. The finish is exceptionally long.
Serving and pairing
The serving value is presented as 16–18, although its unit is printed as a percent sign.
Vintage notes
A Vinous review explicitly describes the 2018 as sleeker and more elegant than more expansive earlier expressions, with blueberry, lavender, liquorice, clove and new leather.
Label / history
Cuculaia is conceived as an evolving experiment in how far Syrah quality can be taken in Cortona. It is closely related to Il Castagno but represents a stricter vineyard and barrel selection produced only in the best years.
