About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The wine draws on a selection of the best grapes from Ca' Rugate's vineyards in the hills around Montecchia di Crosara. The soils are gravelly and calcareous, and yield is 90 quintals per hectare (9 t/ha).
Grapes
45% Corvina, 40% Corvinone and 15% Rondinella.
Vinification
The grapes are picked by hand during the second half of September and laid flat in small wooden boxes holding an average of approximately 6 kg. This arrangement promotes airflow during the drying period. The fruit dries gently in well-ventilated rooms for four to five months, concentrating flavour, sugar, phenolic material and colour. It is crushed during the winter following harvest. Fermentation starts with natural yeast, and the must is transferred to 500-litre oak casks to complete fermentation.
Ageing
The wine matures in wood for 25–30 months before bottling.
Technical data
Alcohol is approximately 15%. Production is approximately 30,000 bottles. Formats comprise 375 ml, 750 ml, 1,500 ml, 3,000 ml, 5,000 ml, 9,000 ml, 12,000 ml and 27,000 ml.
Tasting profile
Intense garnet red. Concentrated aromas of ripe blueberry, blackberry and cherry are complemented by spicy oak. The palate is rich, full-bodied, complex and balanced, with clear dried-grape character and a lingering finish.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 17°C with char-grilled or braised meats, mature cheeses and game. It is also presented as a wine for special occasions, sharing with friends after a meal, or contemplative drinking.
