About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Caburnio comes from separately managed estate plots facing south to south-west at 140 m. The complex, stony soil lies over a clay substratum, and planting density is 6,600 vines per hectare. Its style is associated with the Mediterranean scrub, sunshine, fields and hills of the Maremma.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. The latest published vintage, 2020, is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Alicante Bouschet and 15% Merlot.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested manually. For 2020, the dry summer and increasing heat from late July led to a rapid harvest intended to capture crisp fruit at the desired ripeness. Each plot was fermented separately in an open, tapered stainless-steel vat under temperature control and remained separate throughout maturation until blending. Maceration lasted up to 18 days according to variety, with prolonged lees contact to reduce sulphite use.
Ageing
The 2020 matured for 12 months: half in stainless steel and half in French oak barriques and tonneaux. Thirty percent of the oak vessels were new, with the balance in their second or third use. A further 12 months of bottle ageing preceded release. The wine was neither fined nor filtered. The general description allows 12–18 months of maturation depending on the vintage.
Technical data
IGT Toscana. The 2020 has 14% alcohol and a yield of 50 hl/ha. Tenuta Monteti holds V.I.V.A. Sustainable Wine certification, and its carbon-footprint assessment complies with UNI EN ISO 14064:2019.
Tasting profile
The 2020 is vivid ruby red. Red fruit, redcurrant and cherry are joined by Mediterranean herbs, blond tobacco, hollyhock and delicate spice. The palate is fresh, rich and juicy, with delicate tannins and a long, pleasurable finish.
Vintage notes
The 2020 growing season began with a rainy, mild winter, followed by a dry, cool spring. Budbreak occurred in the final week of March and veraison began in the second ten days of July. Summer was also dry, with moderate early temperatures giving way to intense heat from late July.
Label / history
The name arose from a transcription error in a passage of Pliny the Elder's Natural History. In a discussion of Roman viticulture in Gallia Narbonensis, vitis Caburnicam appeared in place of Narbonicam.
