Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The 20-hectare vineyard area is located in Giano dell’Umbria and Gualdo Cattaneo at 300–350 metres above sea level. Its light soils tend toward calcareous. The vines are 15–20 years old, trained to spur-pruned cordon and planted at 5,000 vines per hectare.
Grapes
The shop describes a selection of Sangiovese, Merlot and another native Montefalco variety. The 2018 technical sheet gives the composition more generally as Sangiovese with other varieties permitted by the production regulations; no percentages are supplied.
Vinification
Less-ripe bunches were thinned before harvest. On arrival at the cellar, the grapes were destemmed, crushed and cooled to 18 °C. Fermentation was initiated with selected yeasts in stainless-steel fermenters equipped with cooling and automated pump-over systems. Pump-overs commenced after sufficient alcohol had formed to extract tannins and help stabilize the colour. Alcoholic fermentation lasted approximately 12 days. After separation from the skins, malolactic fermentation proceeded in temperature-controlled stainless steel.
Ageing
A total maturation of 30 months, including 14 months in barriques and three months in bottle.
Technical data
2018 vintage. Alcohol: 15% vol. Production: 6,200 bottles. Bottle format: 750 ml.
Tasting profile
Deep ruby red with garnet reflections. The aroma combines fleshy red fruit with delicate balsamic and toasted notes on the finish; the shop also highlights berries and spices. Full-bodied and rounded, with a velvety, elegant texture.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18 °C after opening the bottle in advance. Pair with structured first courses, pork and game. Ageing potential is approximately ten years.
Vintage notes
After a mild, relatively dry January, rainfall from February restored soil water reserves following the 2017 drought. March brought colder conditions and snow even at lower elevations, while April was dry and warmer than recent averages. The initially delayed vegetative cycle returned to a normal timetable, and flowering and fruit set proceeded regularly. Bunches were more numerous and heavier than in the preceding year. Harvest began 7–10 days later than in 2017 but remained consistent with a normal season.
