Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from Prato, Querceto and Solatìo in Greve and Panzano in Chianti. Prato faces west, Solatìo south-west and Querceto west/south-west. The vineyards lie on the Sillano formation, whose heterogeneous soils are generally moderately clay-rich, low in limestone and sub-alkaline, with plentiful calcareous stones and sandstone. Yield is 38 hl/ha.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage: 80–90% Sangiovese and 10–20% Merlot.
Vinification
Harvesting is entirely manual and usually runs from mid-September until early October. The grapes are destemmed and placed in separate steel tanks according to vineyard. Fermentation and skin maceration last approximately 12 days, during which délestage and pumping over are performed. Following racking, the wine is decanted and completes malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
Sangiovese matures for at least 18 months in 15–20 hl oak barrels, while Merlot spends 18 months in barriques. Bottle maturation lasts at least three months.
Technical data
Alcohol: 14–14.5% vol. Production: 50,000 bottles. Formats: 375 ml, 750 ml, 1,500 ml and 3,000 ml.
Tasting profile
Ruby red with garnet shades. Sour cherry, blackberry and ripe cherry aromas meet tobacco and spices on the nose. Forest-fruit flavours shape the palate, supported by soft, bright tannins and a liquorice finish. The overall style is full-bodied, balanced and enveloping.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18–20°C.
Label / history
Gherardino is named for Gherardino dei Gherardini, forefather of the prominent family that built Vignamaggio in the 14th century.
