Pian delle Vigne Vigna Ferrovia 2006
Climate
The winter of 2006 was characterized by average temperatures which were rather low and which determined a slight delay in the beginning of the vine cycle compared to the vintages of recent years. The positive climate and rainfall of the first part of spring made up for this delay and assisted vine development. Rains arrived once again in August and interrupted a period decidedly hot summer weather. Excellent climatic conditions in September, with regular temperature swings between daytime heat and evening and nighttime coolness, favored a perfect ripening of the grapes and led to a high level harvest. At the time of their picking the grapes were healthy, perfectly ripe, and with an important quality potential. Harvest operations began on October 4th.
Vinification
The selection of the grapes for the Brunello Riserva Vigna Ferrovia took place in two phases. The first, the so-called āgreen selectionā insofar as it takes place in the vineyard in the middle of the growing season, was carried out during the first two weeks of July was intended to balance the production on the vine in order to have the proper number of bunches per shoot. The second one took place just before the harvest itself and had as its objective the elimination of grapes which were not perfectly ripe. After the stemming and a soft pressing, the grapes were macerated on the skins in open small oak barrels for a period of approximately twenty days during which time the cap of skins was punched down manually in order to both increase extraction and best respect the fruit and the quality of the tannins. The fermentation was finished in small oak barrels where the malolactic fermentation also took place. The wine then began its aging in small, 300 liter (80 gallon) oak barrels for a period of six months, followed in turn by a further twelve months of aging in larger, 3000 liter oak casks. A final twelve months of aging in 60 hectoliter (6000 liter) oak casks terminated the aging process. The finished wine was then bottled and given six months of bottle aging before commercial release.
Tasting Notes
A brilliant and intense ruby red, the VignaFerrovia 2006 demonstrates that it is a wine of important balance with the traditional notes of sweet spices married to aromas of red fruit, tobacco, and leather. On the palate it is a wine of much finesse and elegance with a tonic acidity which sustains the vibrant tannins of its texture. The finish and aftertaste are sweet and supple.
Awards
Antonio Galloni 93/100 USA James Suckling 94/100 USA Wine Advocate 93/100 USA Wine Spectator 93/100 USA
The Wine
Vignaferrovia is only produced in the finest vintages from the grapes of a small 4 hectare (10 acre) parcel in the vineyard adjacent to the 19th century railway station on the estate. The soil is principally calcareous clay rich in small stones. The wine is elegant and captivating, characterized by a dense tannic structure complemented by freshness and sweetness. The first vintage of Vignaferrovia to be produced was 2004. It was not produced in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
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.
Rocky soils
The Vignaferrovia vineyard grows on rocky, gravelly soils, a condition that naturally limits the grapevineās growth rate and enhances the quality of the berries.
Sea breezes
Southwestern vineyard exposure allows sea breezes to mitigate hot summer temperatures and limit heat spikes.
A personal interpretation
The Antinori family wanted to give their own deeply personal interpretation of the historic wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
Climate
The winter and spring seasons of 2018 were characterized by slightly lower than average temperatures and generous precipitation. These climatic conditions provided excellent groundwater reserves in the vineyards and prompted normal budbreak and optimal flowering. Selective leaf removal conducted in June and cluster thinning at the end of July-beginning of August brought optimal vine balance and ensured a perfect ripening phase. Harvesting activities for Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia took place between September 25th and 27th, 2018.
Vinification
This growing seasonās favorable climate trends together with a meticulous selection of grape clusters guaranteed that perfectly whole, healthy, and ripe fruit was brought to the cellar for vinification. The grapes were destemmed, gently crushed then transferred into stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation occurred. Maceration on the skins took place over a period of approximately 3 weeks and was introduced directly into oak for aging. The gradual and well-balanced aging phase began in small barrels of varying capacities, from 5 hl up to 30 hl, and continued for a period of over two years. Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia was later bottled on April 7th, 2021 and began a lengthy period of aging in the bottle before being released.
Historical Data
The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. The property consists of 460 total acres (184 hectares), 160 of which (65 hectares) are planted to vines with generally a south-western exposure at an altitude of 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level. The estate, since the very beginning, has followed a philosophy based on aging in large casks capable of preserving the exceptional integrity and fruit of the Sangiovese grapes and endow this Brunello with a characteristic vibrant elegance. Pian delle Vigne has belonged to the Antinori family since 1995, the the year of the first Pian delle Vigne vintage. Vignaferrovia is produced only in superior vintages from a small, 10 acre (4 hectare) vineyard plot adjacent to the 19th century railroad station and perched on soils which consist principally of clay and calcareous elements, rich in small stones as well. It was not produced in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
Tasting Notes
Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia 2018 is ruby red with light garnet hues. The nose is engaging and complex: notes of ripe fruit and citrus fruit lead over to aromas of tobacco, cocoa, cloves, and fresh balsamic impressions. The palate is rich, dense and is accompanied by excellent freshness and silky vibrant tannins. The finish is long and persistent, characterized by pleasant hints of jam and bitter cocoa.
Tenuta Pian delle Vigne
The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. Pian delle Vigne stretches out over an area of 184 hectares (454 acres) of which 65 hectares (160 acres) are planted with vineyards that grow at an altitude of approximately 130 meters (426 feet) above sea level and enjoy a southwestern exposure. The estateās namesake wine, Pian delle Vigne, represents Marchesi Antinoriās deeply personal interpretation of a prestigious and traditional wine such as Brunello di Montalcino. The Antinori family acquired the estate in 1995, the same year the first Brunello Pian delle Vigne was harvested.
Soil
Calcareous clay soil with an abundance of fine gravel and stones.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
