About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The wine comes from Vigna Alta, Nittardi’s best vineyard, on a south-facing hillside at 500 m above sea level. Its soils combine Alberese limestone, associated with structure and power, and Galestro schist, which contributes minerality and freshness. The vineyard is planted at 6,600 vines per hectare, with a yield of 30 hl/ha. The wine is certified organic and is made only in the best vintages.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese, selected from the estate’s best grapes.
Vinification
Fermentation takes place in 10.5-ton stainless-steel tanks.
Ageing
The wine matures in 500 L Austrian and French oak barrels, of which 20% are new, followed by 6 months in a single concrete vat and 12 months in bottle. Published information differs on the time in oak: the wine page specifies 28 months, while the 2020 technical sheet specifies 24 months. The 2020 vintage was bottled in April 2023.
Technical data
For the 2020 vintage: 15% alcohol, total acidity of 5.95 g/L and pH 3.4.
Tasting profile
Intense dark red. Blueberry, dark cherry and ripe blackberry meet garrigue and exotic spices on the nose. The medium-bodied palate combines excellent freshness with an accomplished texture and elegant, finely grained tannins. The finish is long and persistent. The youthful 2020 was considered capable of developing over the following 20 years.
Serving and pairing
Serve at around 18°C. Pair with creative Tuscan cuisine.
Vintage notes
The inaugural 2020 vintage followed abundant spring rain and a warm summer without extreme heat. Vigna Alta was harvested during the final week of September.
Label / history
The first vintage was 2020. Conceived as a return to the estate’s past, the wine differs from Nittardi Riserva, which had included a small proportion of Merlot since 1997. Gran Selezione is instead pure Sangiovese, interpreted through more than three decades of accumulated winemaking experience by the team led by Carlo Ferrini.
