Pian delle Vigne Vigna Ferrovia 2016
Climate
The 2016 growing season began with very little rainfall in winter and a mild spring. These climatic conditions prompted slightly earlier bud break and flowering, while fruit set occurred normally. Summer was cooler than 2015 yet temperatures rose above seasonal averages especially during July and August. Light precipitation during the month of September and the resulting cooler temperatures allowed the grapes to progress to optimal ripeness, boosting Sangiovese’s freshness and imparting soft, well-balanced tannins. Grapes for Vignaferrovia were harvested between the end of September and the beginning of October.
Vinification
A meticulous selection of grape clusters and favorable climate trends brought intact and perfectly ripe grapes to the cellar. The berries were destemmed and gently crushed then transferred into stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place. Maceration on the skins lasted for a period of approximately 3 weeks, and once concluded, the wine began a period of aging in oak. This gradual, balanced aging process took place over two years starting in small 5 hl barrels progressing to 30 hl capacity barrels. Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia was bottled and began a lengthy period of aging in the bottle.
Tasting Notes
Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia 2016 is ruby red in color with light garnet reflections. Its complex and intense nose offers notes of ripe plums and Morello cherries that merge with aromas of dried flowers, lavender, sandalwood, and herbs from the Mediterranean scrub. Its bouquet is completed by pleasant sensations of cocoa powder, sweet spicy hints of cinnamon, cloves, and a vibrant sanguine note, typical of Sangiovese. On the palate, Vignaferrovia has a rich, compact entry with soft silky tannins that together with its lively, fresh character, makes the wine intense, refined, with a persistent finish. Notes of leather, tobacco, and fresh balsamic sensations, almost minty, define its finish together with aromas of ripe Morello cherries and bitter cocoa.
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 grapevine’s 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 season’s 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 estate’s namesake wine, Pian delle Vigne, represents Marchesi Antinori’s 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
