Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The vineyards face south, south-west and north. Planting density is 5,000 vines per hectare. The soil is clay loam containing abundant rocky fragments. The vines are trained using the capovolto toscano system.
Grapes
Malvasia Bianca and San Colombano; the proportions are not specified.
Vinification
The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand in small baskets during the first half of September. They dry slowly on racks in a dedicated Vinsantaia until late December or mid-January. The dried fruit undergoes gentle crushing and destemming and is pressed with a hand-operated press. Fermentation takes place in 50- or 100-litre caratelli assembled from chestnut, oak, cherry, acacia and mulberry woods.
Ageing
The wine remains in the mixed-wood caratelli for at least five years, followed by no less than six to eight months in bottle.
Tasting profile
Amber yellow in colour. The bouquet combines dried fruit with dried fig, apricot and caramel. Sweet, soft and velvety on the palate, with a rich, full-bodied structure and a very persistent aftertaste.
Serving and pairing
The wine has long to very long ageing potential.
Vintage notes
Published reviews cover the 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages.
Awards
The 2010 vintage received 92 points from James Suckling, 95 points from Luca Maroni, a gold medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 4 Grappoli from Bibenda and 4 Viti from Guida Vitae. The 2009 received 93 points from James Suckling, 96 points and a gold medal from Decanter, the title of Best Vin Santo in Italy and 95 points from Luca Maroni, a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge, 4 Stelle from ViniBuoni d’Italia, 91 points from Vinous and 4 Grappoli from Bibenda. The 2008 received 3 Stelle from I Vini di Veronelli and a gold medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The 2007 received Super Tre Stelle from I Vini di Veronelli. The 2004 received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and was selected for the 2014 Merano Wine Festival.