About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay comes from a 1.5 ha north-facing plot at the estate’s highest and coolest point, 550 m above sea level. The site was identified a decade before this account. Its sandy soils contain a small proportion of clay and exceptionally high active limestone. The vines are closely planted and produce very low yields.
Vinification
After brief skin contact, the whole clusters are pressed. Fermentation takes place in new, tight-grained French oak barriques with light toast.
Ageing
The wine remains on its fine lees for 18 months in new oak barrels, without bâtonnage. It is bottled unfiltered with minimal sulfur and then matures for a further 24 months. The 2019 vintage requires an estimated five to eight years to reach its full potential, with peak maturity expected from 2026 to 2050.
Label / history
Nibbio was conceived by winemaker and CEO Renzo Cotarella and Piero Antinori as a pure Chardonnay, inspired by the white wines of Corton-Charlemagne. It is the only wine in the Antinori portfolio bearing Piero Antinori’s signature. Production is limited to 5,000 bottles.
