Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Villa Gresti is drawn from estate vineyards inside the ancient monastery walls. The vines stand at 120–300 metres above sea level, with exposures ranging from southwest to northwest. Merlot grows on well-drained clay, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère occupy lighter, sandy soils. Vine age ranges from 15 to 40 years.
Spur-pruned cordon and Guyot vineyards are planted at 5,100 vines per hectare. Double and simple Trentino pergola parcels are planted at 1,800 and 2,500 vines per hectare respectively. Yields are 50–60 quintals per hectare for cordon and Guyot and 80–90 quintals per hectare for the pergola systems.
Grapes
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, combining Merlot’s suppleness with Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure and Carmenère’s spicy character.
Vinification
Spontaneous fermentation and a 12–15-day maceration take place in small concrete vats. Several daily pump-overs and occasional délestage manage extraction. Following racking, malolactic fermentation occurs in the same vats, where the wine settles for several months.
Ageing
Maturation lasts 18 months in medium-toast French oak tonneaux of first and second use. After final blending and bottling, the wine rests in the estate cellars for at least another 18 months before release.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red in colour. The enveloping bouquet combines raspberry and cassis with balsamic accents and sweet spices. The palate is taut and balanced, supported by a smooth texture and velvety tannins, and closes with excellent persistence.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 16 °C.
Label / history
Villa Gresti was conceived to express the elegance of the San Leonardo terroir through the softness and appeal of Merlot, the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the spicy notes of Carmenère.
