About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The vineyard is at San Felice in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena. Its medium-textured soils are predominantly calcareous marl formed by the breakdown of alberese and galestro limestone, with abundant gravel and pebbles. The vines are Guyot trained.
Grapes
100% Pugnitello.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested in the first week of October. Fermentation on the skins lasts 20–25 days at 30°C and is followed by malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
Maturation lasts 18–20 months in 225 L French-oak barriques, followed by eight months in bottle.
Technical data
The 2022 has 13% alcohol, total acidity of 5.8 g/L and less than 0.5 g/L residual sugar. It is offered in a 0.75 L format and has a cellaring horizon of 15–20 years.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red with violet highlights. The richly aromatic nose combines clove, preserved wild fruit and tobacco leaf. The palate is velvety, highly savory and closely echoes the aromas found on the nose, with full-bodied concentration and smooth texture.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18°C. Pair with meat-sauced first courses, roast guinea fowl or veal.
Vintage notes
The 2022 growing season had no extreme weather events and provided favorable conditions for vine development. Mid-August rain moderated the high summer temperatures and aided optimal ripening. Pugnitello was harvested from the first week of October.
Label / history
Pugnitello is an ancient native Tuscan variety whose name means “little fist,” referring to the shape of its bunch. After its rediscovery, it was studied in San Felice’s experimental vineyard in collaboration with the universities of Florence and Pisa. The wine emerged from 20 years of research and experimentation aimed at protecting native Tuscan grapes from extinction.
