Tasting Notes
Climate
The climate in the Montepulciano area in 2008 was characterized by an approximately ten day delay in vegetative development compared to recent vintages, but a balanced growing season eventually brought the grapes to a perfect state of ripeness. Frequent spring rains and low temperatures, below seasonal averages, led to an initial ten day delay in the ripening cycle of the vine. August was warm and dry, but temperatures dipped once again in early September, accentuating the delay which had accumulated during the previous phases of the season and slowing the final maturation of such late-maturing varieties as Prugnolo Gentile all the way up to the beginning of the harvest. In conclusion, the ripening of the grapes of the La Braccesca vineyards took place gradually and in a balanced way, thanks as well to higher temperatures during the second half of September and the first part of October, which further favored the achievement of healthy and ripe grapes.
Vinification
The grapes of the Santa Pia vineyard were selected twice in order to leave on the vine only the finest bunches for transformation into wine. The first, carried out in July (a bunch thinning in the vineyard) was aimed at lightening the load to ripen on the vine, the second to choose only the grape bunches which showed excellent ripeness. Picking then began and the grapes, once in the cellar, were delicately destemmed and pressed and the must fermented on its skins for approximately twenty days. The wine, at the end of its fermentation and maceration, went into 80 and 130 gallon barrels (tonneaux), where it went through a complete malolactic fermentation and then aged for a period of sixteen months. Then was bottled and aged in bottle for other 36 months before commercial release. This long aging period helped to smooth out tannin’s exuberance.
Historical Data
The La Braccesca estate covers some 1255 acres (508 hectares) where once were located the holdings of the Bracci counts, who gave their name both to the property and its count of arms: an armor-clad arm holding a sword. The overall vineyard surface consists of 850 acres (340 hectares) and is divided into two blocks: the first, 575 acres (233 hectares) is situated on the border between Montepulciano and the neighboring township of Cortona. The second, instead, 255 acres (103 hectares) insize, arrives close to the city itself and includes three highly renowned sub-zones for the production of outstanding red wine: Cervognano, Santa Pia, and Gracciano. Santa Pia is produced from a 37 acre (15 hectare) vineyard situated in the site of the same name, located the terraces below the town of Montepulciano. Its unique soil, medium in texture and consistence, rich in stones and sand, have assisted the ambition to produce an elegant, but at the same time classic, example of Sangiovese, one capable of transmitting the a highly recognizable expression of this historic production zone. The first year of production of Santa Pia was the 2001. Â
Tasting Notes
A wine of great impact, the 2008 Santa Pia is an intense ruby red in color, shows aromas of blackberries and red berry fruit along with well fused notes of tobacco and vanilla. On the palate the wine is soft and savory with an important tannic structure and a supple and elegant texture. The finish and aftertaste are long and caressing with mineral notes which are the distinguishing characteristic of the Prugnolo Gentile of Montepulciano.
Awards
Wine Spectator 92/100 USA
Climate
The climate in the Montepulciano area in 2008 was characterized by an approximately ten day delay in vegetative development compared to recent vintages, but a balanced growing season eventually brought the grapes to a perfect state of ripeness. Frequent spring rains and low temperatures, below seasonal averages, led to an initial ten day delay in the ripening cycle of the vine. August was warm and dry, but temperatures dipped once again in early September, accentuating the delay which had accumulated during the previous phases of the season and slowing the final maturation of such late-maturing varieties as Prugnolo Gentile all the way up to the beginning of the harvest. In conclusion, the ripening of the grapes of the La Braccesca vineyards took place gradually and in a balanced way, thanks as well to higher temperatures during the second half of September and the first part of October, which further favored the achievement of healthy and ripe grapes.
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
