Wine of great pedigree produced in extremely limited quantity and endowed with all the characteristics that reward extensive cellaring. The grapes for this wine come from the 8.35.40 hectare (20 acres) vineyard called “La Fornace” just outside the town of Chianciano Terme (Siena), at about 280 to 300 meters (~1,000ft) in elevation.
hill side with south-eastern exposure.
planted in 1997 at a density of 1.30x0.9 meters (~4x3 ft), equivalent to 8,547 vines/ha (3,490/ac).
trained to a bilateral cordon with vertical shoot positioning.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 different clones: clone CL191 on 420A rootstock, CL169 on 161-49, CL337 on SO4 and CL3309 on SO4
deep sandy clay with limestone from the Pliocene era (6 million years ago).
Continental Winter with abundant snow, strong winds and frosts. Spring and summer were fairly dry, with record breaking temperatures in the summer with peaks over 40°C (104°F). A providential rain prior to the harvest allowed the grapes to reach optimal maturation. Harvest quantities were 30% below average.
small lot fermentation at 25-30°C (77-86°F) using indigenous (wild) yeast. Fifteen-day maceration with frequent aerations, pump-overs and punch-downs of the cap for optimum polyphenol extraction.
it was placed in small (lt.225) new French and American oak barrels for 12 months
in our temperature-controlled cellar for over 45 months.
dark, deep, blackish-ruby hue.
bold and intense, with blackberries and licorice, black pepper and a hint of vanilla.
full-bodied palate with exceptional dark fruit intensity and spice. Big structured with well-integrated, supple tannins and a long, persistent finish.
Alcohol 14.00%, total acidity 5.3 per thousand, color 16.90, sugar 2.0 per thousand, polyphenols 4,618 mg/l, dry extract 35.3 g/l.