Pinot Nero della Sala
The Wine
The first vintage to be produced was the 1990 vintage. The wine is made entirely with Pinot Nero grapes and is considered Cervaro’s alter ego: together they represent the two different expressions of Castello della Sala’s complex and refined spirit. Four hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero vineyards sit at an altitude of 400 meters (1312 feet) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in fossils with sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch.
Historical Data
The ten acres (four hectares) of Pinot Noir grapes at the Castello della Sala estate are situated at an altitude of over 1300 feet (400 meters) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in marine fossils which alternate with strata of sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch. The wine was first produced in 1990. Castello della Sala is a fortress erected in the 14th century located approximately ten miles (18 kilometers) from the city of Orvieto and was acquired by the Antinori family in 1940.
The Wine
The first vintage to be produced was the 1990 vintage. The wine is made entirely with Pinot Nero grapes and is considered Cervaro’s alter ego: together they represent the two different expressions of Castello della Sala’s complex and refined spirit. Four hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero vineyards sit at an altitude of 400 meters (1312 feet) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in fossils with sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch.
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.
Winding vineyards
The 4 hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero grow along the hillsides shaping the landscape into a series of sinuous terraced vineyards.
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.
Climate
The climate of the 2011 was rather unusual: after a July with sunny, but not particularly warm, days and with nighttime temperatures below 64° Fahrenheit (18° centigrade), a wave of torrid weather - with daytime temperatures as high as 105° Fahrenheit (40° centigrade) and little nighttime coolness - then arrived. Fortunately, an excellent canopy of leaves and reasonable supply of ground water, along with a careful selection of the grapes, prevented problems of raisining from arising. Continuing high temperatures made timely picking a necessity, and the harvest began in early September. The 2011 vintage, despite these climatic conditions, nonetheless gave rich grapes and fragrant and elegant wines which, above all, showed ripe tannins and the promise of excellent longevity.
Vinification
The grapes were picked from vineyards situated at 1325 feet (400 meters) above sea level on the Castello della Sala estate, a property near the city of Orvieto in Umbria. After destemming and a partial pressing, the grapes went into stainless steel tanks where they fermented ten days; during this period, maximum attention was given to the extraction of color and tannins. The must fermented at a temperature of 79° Fahrenheit (26° centigrade) and finished in French (Allier, Tronçais) oak barrels, where it also completed its malolactic fermentation. Aging lasted eight months and the wine was then bottled. A nine month period of bottle aging in the Castello della Sala cellars preceded commercial release.
Historical Data
The ten acres (four hectares) of Pinot Noir grapes at the Castello della Sala estate are situated at an altitude of over 1300 feet (400 meters) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in marine fossils which alternate with strata of sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch. The wine was first produced in 1990. Castello della Sala is a fortress erected in the 14th century located approximately ten miles (18 kilometers) from the city of Orvieto and was acquired by the Antinori family in 1940.
Tasting Notes
A brilliant garnet red in color and endowed with spicy notes and delicate aromas of violets and blueberries, this Pinot Noir is tasty and supple in its tannins and promises to evolution very well indeed in bottle.
Scheda
Castello della Sala
Castello della Sala is located in the Umbria region, not far from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers from the historic city of Orvieto. The Medieval castle’s property extends over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres), 229 hectares (495 acres) are planted with vineyards at an altitude that varies between 220 and 470 meters above sea level (722/1541 feet) on the gently rolling hillsides that characterize the beautiful countryside in this area. Castello della Sala is the perfect place for growing white varieties. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night. The one exception to the rule is Pinot Noir, the only red variety that has found in this area ideal growing conditions to best express its full potential.
Soil
Calcareous soil with fossils and sedimentary sand dating back to the Pliocene period.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
