About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The historic estate label accounts for half of production and draws on three vineyard areas situated south, east and northwest of Montepulciano. The detailed production description identifies estate vineyards in Salarco, while the principal product page names Mulinvecchio. The vines are 10–35 years old and grow at 350–450 m on Pliocene-origin clay with a south-eastern exposure. The vines are trained to a vertical trellis and spur-pruned cordon at 4,500 vines per hectare.
Grapes
80% Prugnolo Gentile, 10% Canaiolo Nero and 10% Colorino.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand, selected, destemmed and crushed. The must is inoculated with selected yeasts and fermented in steel and concrete vats for 16–19 days at 26–28°C. Skin maceration lasts for the same period, with frequent daily pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation takes place after devatting in either steel vats or oak barrels.
Ageing
Maturation lasts 24 months in French and Slavonian oak barrels of 8–25 hL, with racking every six months. The wine then settles in steel for two months and ages in bottle for a further 6–8 months before release.
Technical data
Annual production is approximately 40,000–50,000 bottles in the detailed Wine Club material; the principal product page gives 30,000–40,000 bottles.
Tasting profile
Presented as a refined and notably balanced expression suitable for a wide range of occasions.
Vintage notes
The best vintages identified for the preceding 20 years are 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. Expected maturity is 14–18 years after harvest, with a maturity plateau between 3 and 12 years.
Label / history
This is the estate’s historic label and its classic expression of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
