About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Vigneti del Versante combines fruit from several vineyards, usually Cancello Rosso and the lower part of Pian Bassolino. For the 2020 vintage, the blend also included Scopeta. The selected parcels lie between 270 and 370 m. The vines were approximately 22 years old at harvest, except at Scopeta, where they were 15 years old.
The sedimentary soils include strongly calcareous clays, friable Tertiary marls, gravel, alberese and flysch. Parcels selected for Brunello generally contain more gravel and coarse skeletal material, encouraging rapid soil warming and heat storage.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese. Training systems are spur-pruned cordon and alberello (gobelet).
Vinification
Bunches were carefully inspected in the vineyard before harvest, with doubtful fruit removed. After picking, the grapes were taken to the cellar and destemmed. Mechanical pre-selection removed insects and shrivelled berries; the fruit was then checked manually on a sorting table before optical selection using high-resolution imaging. Only healthy, intact and ripe berries entered the fermentation vat.
Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts began after three days. It developed rapidly at first and then slowed considerably, reaching approximately 34°C after six days and lasting about 30 days in total. Because the 2020 berries had exceptionally thick skins, the wine was racked after approximately eight weeks. Malolactic fermentation began immediately after alcoholic fermentation. No cultured yeasts, bacteria, enzymes or other processing additives were introduced.
Ageing
The young wine matured for 45 months in two oak casks of 50 hl and 10 hl. It was bottled on 12 August 2024.
Technical data
The 2020 yield was 48 q/ha, equivalent to 36.5 hl/ha. ISVEA recorded 14.27% alcohol, total acidity of 6.08 g/L, residual sugar below 1.0 g/L and pH 3.68. Free and total SO₂ were 15 and 38 mg/L respectively, with volatile acidity of 0.75 g/L. The Chamber of Commerce analysis recorded 14.06% alcohol, pH 3.62, total acidity of 6.11 g/L, dry extract of 29.8 g/L and residual sugar below 1.0 g/L.
Production comprised 7,372 bottles of 750 ml and 297 magnums. Release was scheduled for March 2026. The wine carries ICEA organic and AGRIBIO biodynamic certification.
Tasting profile
Its identity is shaped by the tension and contrast among several sites. Each vintage establishes a different balance, with the intended style seeking complex harmony among its many facets.
Vintage notes
The dry 2019–2020 winter was followed by wide spring temperature swings, including late-March snow. Regular rainfall later restored water reserves, while abundant sun and warmth in July and August supported steady berry development and thick, phenolic skins. Warm days and cool nights in September produced favourable ripening conditions. Harvest took place separately at Cancello Rosso, Pian Bassolino and Scopeta on 12, 14 and 20 September respectively.