Poggio alle Nane 2016
Climate
The 2016 vintage was characterized by a dry winter and a mild spring, which were then followed by a summer with temperatures above normal seasonal averages during the months of July and August. The phases of bud burst and flowering took place slightly in advance of the normal period, but vine growth and development return in balance during the bud set. The light rainfall of the month of September and the consequent lowering of temperatures assisted the grapes in completing their full ripening under excellent meteorological conditions, endowing the Cabernet Franc with much aromatic complexity, balance, and flavor depth. Picking began in late September with the Cabernet Franc and continued with the Cabernet Sauvignon and then with the Carménère during the end of the first week of October.
Vinification
The grapes, picked with care and entirely by hand into small packing cases, were selected once again on sorting tables before their destemming and a soft pressing. The must went by gravity directly into conical stainless steel fermentation tanks where it then fermented. The period of skin contact lasted approximately 20 days at a temperature of approximately 82 °Fahrenheit (28 °C). The wine was then put through a complete malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, where it then aged for a period of 16 months.
Tasting Notes
Poggio alle Nane shows a deep ruby color. The nose is intense in impact, of great complexity and with the classic notes of black currants and ripe blackberries, well balanced by such spicy and balsamic sensations as eucalyptus and liquorice. The palate is ample and enveloping with elegant tannins. The wine is notably persistent on the finish and aftertaste with notes of tobacco and dark chocolate to add further expression and definition to the wine.
Awards
James Suckling 94/100 USA Galloni 93/100 USA Wine Advocate 92/100 USA
The Wine
Poggio alle Nane is a blend of the finest Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small percentage of Carménère grapes that express the unique terroir of one of the estate’s very best vineyards. Poggio alle Nane is a wine of great aromatic complexity with an elegant tannic structure.
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.
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.
Climate
The 2022 growing season began with relatively cold temperatures in winter that led to a slight delay in budbreak. Conditions changed with the arrival of spring that brought higher than average temperatures, making up for the initial delay in vine growth, and prompting flowering consistent with seasonal averages. The summer months were hot and dry however scattered rain showers revitalized vineyard soils towards the end of August ensuring optimal ripening and whole healthy clusters. The grape harvest began the second week of September. The first variety to be picked was Cabernet Franc that gave the wine an elegant tannic structure. One-week later, Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested with berries that presented fragrant notes of ripe dark fruit. The last variety to be picked was Carménère at the beginning of October with grapes that gave complexity and spicy notes.
Vinification
Grape clusters were carefully selected, and hand harvested into crates. The berries underwent a second selection on sorting tables before destemming and gentle crushing. The must was transferred by gravity flow into truncated stainless-steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 28 °C (82 °F) and maceration on the skins for a period of approximately 20 days. The wine then went into barriques where malolactic fermentation took place, followed by aging in French oak for 16 months.
Historical Data
The Le Mortelle estate is located in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, a mere few miles from the town of Castiglione della Pescaia in an extraordinarily fascinating position both in terms the nature which surrounds it and the history of the site. The Antinori family has always been present in the area - a property act of the year 1863 mentions among their possession Poggio Franco, one of the estate’s finest vineyards, along with other parcels of land. The Antinori, ever since 1999, has worked on the vineyards and the cellar with the firm conviction that the area, an emerging one in the overall panorama of Italian wine, has a major potential for the production of fine wine and that here it would be possible to express the characteristics both of the territory and the varieties to be cultivated. The property extends over a total of some 675 acres, over 425 of which are planted to vines, first Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, then more recent additions of such white grapes as Viognier, Ansonica, and Vermentino together a small amount of Carménère. The soil, of medium texture, is composed principally of clay and silica and is, in certain parts, rather rocky as well. Poggio alle Nane is a blend of the finest Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small percentage of Carménère grapes that express the unique terroir of one of the estate’s very best vineyards. Poggio alle Nane is a wine of great aromatic complexity with an elegant tannic structure.
Tasting Notes
Poggio alle Nane 2022 is ruby red in color with purple hues. The nose delivers intense fruity notes of currants, blackberries and red plums that follow over to sweet hints of vanilla, powdered sugar and pleasant spicy balsamic notes of blond tobacco and eucalyptus. Entry on the palate is mouth filling, sustained by supple, refined tannins that accompany a long, persistent finish defined by notes of cocoa and myrtle.
Fattoria Le Mortelle
The Mortelle estate is in the heart of Maremma in Tuscany, near the town of Castiglione della Pescaia set in an extraordinary and fascinating position both for the territory’s unparalleled natural beauty and its historical heritage and culture. The Antinori family has been part of this territory for generations. Evidence of ownership of land in this area is recorded on a property deed dated 1863. It states their ownership of Poggio Franco, one of the best vineyards on the estate, together with other parcels of land. Since 1999, when the property was acquired, the family has dedicated their efforts to improving the vineyards and building the new winery with the firm belief that this area, slowly emerging on the Italian viticultural horizon, has great potential for the production of high quality wines. Varieties grown in this area can fully express their own characteristics as well as the exceptional qualities of the terroir. The property extends over an area of 270 hectares (667 acres) 175 of which (432 acres) are planted with vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and other more recently planted vineyards with white grape varieties such as Vermentino, Ansonica, Viognier and a small parcel of Carménère. The soil is of medium consistency, sandy and loamy composed of clay and silica and in some parts of the estate is rich in rocky deposits.
Soil
Sandy loamy soil, predominantly siliceous-clay composition with abundant fine gravel.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
