Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Nebbiolo ripens on the steep slopes of the Grumello subzone of Valtellina Superiore, north-east of Sondrio. The subzone takes its name from the 13th-century castle overlooking the valley. The vineyards average 550 m in altitude and have sandy, silty soils. Approximately 60-year-old vines are Guyot trained at a density of 4,500 vines per hectare. Average grape yield is 8,000 kg/ha, with a must-to-fruit ratio of 70%.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo, picked and sorted by hand. No grape drying is used.
Vinification
Vinification includes two days of cold maceration followed by five days on the skins.
Ageing
The wine-page regimen is six months in third-use French oak barriques followed by 30 months in large casks made from native chestnut. The current technical sheet gives a different regimen: third-use French barriques together with stainless-steel tanks, without durations.
Technical data
Approximately 14.0% alcohol by volume, 5.5 g/l total acidity, less than 1 g/l total sugar and approximately 30 g/l dry extract. Production is around 20,000 bottles. Analytical and vineyard figures may vary with the vintage.
Tasting profile
Ruby red shading towards garnet. The bouquet is subtle yet intense, with a toasted-almond nuance. The palate is fresh, slender, savoury and harmonious, with light tannins.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18–20 °C with traditional local dishes. The suggested cellaring horizon is ten years.
Label / history
The Grumello subzone is named after the 13th-century castle that dominates the valley.
