About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes grow in northeastern Italy on alluvial soils very rich in clay. The climate is mild, with very little annual rainfall and high summer temperatures, which lets the grapes ripen fully. Besides regular vineyard care, the winery uses summer pruning and careful leaf thinning to help the fruit reach ideal ripeness. Yields are kept very low for rich flavours and aromas. The estate now uses only organic methods. Vines are pruned short, green harvesting is carried out every year, and there is no irrigation.
Grapes
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Raboso. The text gives no proportions.
Vinification
Harvest takes place in late September. The grapes are destemmed and crushed, then macerated for 10–15 days at 25–28 °C in steel vats with frequent pumping over. Fermentation is entirely with wild yeasts, in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats.
Ageing
After malolactic fermentation the wine spends several months on fine noble lees in barriques. The text gives an ageing potential of 10–15 years.
Vintage notes
2019 (according to Alessandro De Stefani): excellent wines, but yields lower than expected. The winter had minimum temperatures slightly above normal and below-average rainfall. A mild March and April were followed in May by severe frosts, heavy rain and sudden temperature changes. These slowed vine growth and delayed flowering by 10 days. Significant flower loss reduced the number of berries per bunch. The summer was dry and hot, with occasional rain that encouraged day-to-night temperature changes. Harvest began 10 days later than in 2018, and yields were 15–20% below the average of the previous 5 years. The reds show an excellent balance of sugar and acidity and interesting aromatic qualities. Ideal weather in September and October gave them bright colour, balanced alcohol and good structure.
Label / history
"DS" stands for the initials of De Stefani, a family that has made wine in Veneto for five generations. The DS range is made up of young, fruit-forward wines from several varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Raboso.
