Vinification
Climate
The first months of the year were characterized by cold temperatures and regular rainfall. The first half of February, in particular, was marked both by temperatures below the freezing point and abundant snowfall, phenomenon which, nonetheless, did not damage the vines. Early spring was cool and dry, causing a slight delay in bud burst and flowering compared to normal seasonal averages, and both April and May, instead, were somewhat rainy, of fundamental benefit in sustaining the vines during the lengthy period of summer drought which, beginning in June and continuing all the way up to the end of August, affected the growth and development both of the vegetation and of the dimension and weight of the grapes themselves. The rains which arrived at the end of August provided necessary relief and balanced growth, allowing all of the different grape varieties to continue the ripening process, while the month of September, mild in temperature and graced by light rainfall, allowed the grapes to mature both in terms of their sugars and other analytic values and in terms of their tannins and color. The picking, which began with Merlot and Syrah and finished with Sangiovese, took place during the second half of September, required a careful selection of the bunches in the vineyards, which guaranteed grapes of good ripeness and an important quality potential.
Vinification
The different grape varieties were fermented separately in order to obtain the maximum from each of them: the Sangiovese fermented for approximately ten days on their skins in stainless steel tanks, while the Merlot and Syrah were each fermented on their own with the aim of realizing fruity wines with soft tannins through a full control of fermentation temperatures. The malolactic fermentation was completed before the arrival of winter in all three varieties. The wine was blended at the beginning of the year and went into cask for a nine month aging period. The aging took place principally in Slavonian oak casks, with 10% of the volume, instead, aging in small oak barrels. The aging in large casks assisted in conserving the fruity notes of the fermentation and softening the tannins; the barrels instead, gave fragrant nuances which completed the aromatic gamut of the wine. Pèppoli was given several months of bottle aging before commercial release.
Historical Data
The Pèppoli vineyards produce a Chianti Classico that is a blend made from Sangiovese grapes and complementary varieties; Pèppoli is recognized and appreciated for the full expression of its fruit. A wine that represents the Chianti Classico territory and its historic grape variety with typical floral and fruity aromas. Pèppoli was first produced in 1985 and since 2013 part of the harvest undergoes vinification at the Antinori nel Chianti Classico cellars.
Tasting Notes
Ruby red in color, the 2012 Pèppoli is characterized by notes of cherries and raspberries, and the aromatic profile is completed by nuances of violets and vanilla, On the palate, the wine is tasty and balanced, lively in its acidity, a characteristic of Sangiovese-based wines. The fruity notes and the spices of the oak dominate the finish and aftertaste. The wine is soft in its tannins and long and lingering on the finish.
Awards
Wine Spectator 89/100 USA
Climate
The first months of the year were characterized by cold temperatures and regular rainfall. The first half of February, in particular, was marked both by temperatures below the freezing point and abundant snowfall, phenomenon which, nonetheless, did not damage the vines. Early spring was cool and dry, causing a slight delay in bud burst and flowering compared to normal seasonal averages, and both April and May, instead, were somewhat rainy, of fundamental benefit in sustaining the vines during the lengthy period of summer drought which, beginning in June and continuing all the way up to the end of August, affected the growth and development both of the vegetation and of the dimension and weight of the grapes themselves. The rains which arrived at the end of August provided necessary relief and balanced growth, allowing all of the different grape varieties to continue the ripening process, while the month of September, mild in temperature and graced by light rainfall, allowed the grapes to mature both in terms of their sugars and other analytic values and in terms of their tannins and color. The picking, which began with Merlot and Syrah and finished with Sangiovese, took place during the second half of September, required a careful selection of the bunches in the vineyards, which guaranteed grapes of good ripeness and an important quality potential.
The History
Back in 1928, Niccolò Antinori decided to christen this wine Villa Antinori, in honor of the family’s eponymous villa; it was a reflection of his own personal interpretation of Chianti Classico’s and Tuscany’s unique identity.
The Style
Villa Antinori was first crafted in 1928 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori, Piero Antinori’s father, as the Antinori family’s signature wine; an exceptional wine that can represent the family’s history, identity and continuity like no other. “Villa Antinori is a full-blooded Tuscan red […] which grapes are grown, mature and are harvested from our Tuscan estates and then fermented and aged in the Antinori family estates.” Piero Antinori.
The design
The label’s design represents our concept of home, our territory and Tuscany. “The French have châteaux, but we have Villas!” Niccolò Antinori cheerfully explained his choice for the illustration on the front label, an innovative design that broke with more traditional packaging conventions of that time.
In Honor of the Monaldeschi della Cervara Family
The wine’s name honors the Monaldeschi della Cervara family who was the historic owner of Castello della Sala in the XVI century.
An old railway station
The Vignaferrovia vineyard takes its name from a characteristic old nineteenth century railway station still located a short distance from the vines.
Grown in an area with Great Potential
Poggio alle Nane comes from a winegrowing area well known for its production of high quality wines, an area in which both Cabernet and Carménère best express their characteristics.
A red amidst whites
At Castello della Sala, an area historically important for white wines, Pinot Nero offers an authentic and typical expression of its variety with a strong territorial character.
An ancient grape variety
Aleatico, an old and traditional Tuscan grape variety grown since Etruscan times, is able to give a modern expression of itself in this unique territory.
Villa del Cigliano
Villa del Cigliano, located in the gently rolling hillsides of San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence, has always been a symbol of strong family relationships; the villa has watched over the lives of generations of Antinori family members since 1546, the year Alessandro di Niccolò Antinori became the owner of the property.
The Design
The label was designed by Silvio Coppola in 1974 for the release of Tignanello 1971. The idea to commission this artist was discussed at an event at Castello della Sala in 1973. Silvio Coppola was an important Italian graphic and interior designer who was famous for his minimalist lighting fixtures and austere furniture but also for book cover designs for Italian publishing company Feltrinelli. Silvio Coppola was the perfect match for the job.
The Bolgheri Amphitheater
The Guado al Tasso estate’s most characteristic geographic feature is the Bolgheri Amphitheater, a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. The shape of the territory creates a unique microclimate with beneficial temperature fluctuations. The estate’s vineyards are located at the foot of the amphitheater, an optimal position as cold nocturnal breezes cool down the vines. These particular climatic conditions give the grapes pronounced aromas and guarantee a perfect ripening of the berries.
The Barrique
Cervaro della Sala was one of the first Italian white wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques.
The Name
Poggio alle Nane’s name comes from the area where its vines grow. Duck breeding farms once existed and the name “Nane” is local dialect for duck. The vineyards extend from the hillside to the lake that are still part of the property.
Rocky soils
The Vignaferrovia vineyard grows on rocky, gravelly soils, a condition that naturally limits the grapevine’s growth rate and enhances the quality of the berries.
Winding vineyards
The 4 hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero grow along the hillsides shaping the landscape into a series of sinuous terraced vineyards.
A single letter symbol
“A” represents in one single letter the combination of the estate’s initials, Fattoria Aldobrandesca, and the grape’s variety, Aleatico.
The Signature
Marchese Piero Antinori, the current Honorary President, decided to have his father, Niccolò Antinori, sign the label as a sign of recognition for his father’s confidence in him.
Te Duce Proficio
Guado al Tasso added the Antinori family’s historic family crest on the capsules.
The Concept
The idea behind Cervaro della Sala was to craft a white wine able to age over time.
Sea breezes
Southwestern vineyard exposure allows sea breezes to mitigate hot summer temperatures and limit heat spikes.
Understanding nature
The particularly hot climate of Castello della Sala has forced agronomists to invent new ways to protect the grapes from the hot summer sun. The vines’ shoots are allowed to grow in length and are then folded over the plant so its leaves can shade the Pinot Nero grape clusters.
A Pursuit for Balance
“A” was crafted following the family’s pursuit for exceptional balance between Aleatico’s pronounced character and the unique qualities of the estate’s volcanic soils.
Te Duce Proficio
The historic family crest of the Antinori family
A Tribute to the Della Gherardesca Family
Guado al Tasso designed a label with the Della Gherardesca family crest and the initials DG as a tribute to the former estate owners.
The Enologist
In 1985, Renzo Cotarella, who was chief enologist at Castello della Sala at that time, made the first vintage of Cervaro della Sala.
A personal interpretation
The Antinori family wanted to give their own deeply personal interpretation of the historic wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
The Sun
Tignanello’s stylized “Sun” by Silvio Coppola
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
