Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Riserva is selected from the estate’s historic vineyards: Podernovi, Vignavecchia, Vigna del Masso and Mezzopagne. They lie at 400–450 m in Montalcino, Siena, with southeast and southwest exposures and calcium- and clay-rich soils. Planting dates range from 1990 to 2000. The vines are trained to spurred cordon at densities of 4,000–7,000 vines per hectare; the stated yield is 34 hl/ha. The wine page describes the source more broadly as approximately eight hectares at San Polo.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese. The Riserva is made by selecting the best clusters from the estate’s production.
Vinification
The fruit is picked manually into small 17 kg crates. Careful berry selection precedes gentle crushing. For 2018, fermentation in temperature-controlled concrete tanks ran at 28–30°C for 20–22 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in 500–600 l tonneaux and 10 hl small casks.
Ageing
The wine matured for 36 months in first-use, medium-toast French oak, divided between 500–600 l tonneaux and 10 hl small casks, followed by eight months in bottle.
Technical data
The 2018 has 14.5% alcohol, total acidity of 6.2 g/l, pH 3.6, residual sugar of 0.6 g/l and net dry extract of 36.4 g/l. Formats comprise 750 ml, 1,500 ml and 3,000 ml.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red with garnet highlights. Violet and small red fruits define the aroma, followed by subtle coffee notes. The palate is warm, dense and full-bodied. Soft, well-defined tannins carry a long, persistent finish.
Vinous awarded the 2018 93 points, describing a dusty, floral profile with crushed blackberry, mentholated herbs, ripe red and blue fruit, lively acidity and a lifted character. Firm tannins shape a long, spicy, structured finish with a final orange nuance.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18–20°C in large balloon glasses and open two hours before serving.
Vintage notes
The 2018 season developed slowly after a cold winter delayed the start of growth. Cool temperatures and abundant rain in May and June supported steady spring development. Summer was warm without becoming excessively hot, and strong day–night temperature shifts encouraged harmonious ripening. Harvest extended from 20 September to 5 October and was among the estate’s longest in recent years. Picking proceeded parcel by parcel; in some cases, sections of the same plot were harvested separately to wait for ideal maturity.
The technical sheet places the Riserva selection in late September, while the wine page gives 16 September and describes it as occurring several days ahead of the main harvest.
