APRIL WINE BOX: SIENA VINEYARDS
Step #25
Led by Carlotta Salvini, best FISAR sommelier 2019
April 2020
Barbicaia - Gracciano
Barbicaia, a small family business in the heart of Nobile di Montepulciano. The name of the company (as well as recalling that of the Barbi family) in Tuscan dialect indicates the roots of the vine, the same ones that link three generations to this land. In 1999 Marco and his father replanted the vineyards with 3 different clones of Sangiovese, resulting from the mass selection of material from the vineyards purchased by his grandfather. In 2011 the first harvest with the new system and the first vintage bottled with the Barbicaia Rosso di Montepulciano DOC and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG labels. The company is in organic conversion because it believes in respecting tradition through the use of sustainable practices, without giving up research and innovation in cellar management. The same combination of tradition and development is found in the label: the image of the rings reflects those of the trunk of a vine, a symbol not only of its age but also of vitality and projection into the future.
The Palagione - Castel San Gimignano
Il Palagione is an ancient farmhouse from the end of the sixteenth century purchased in the 1990s by Giorgio and Manuela with the desire to dedicate themselves to the rebirth of this important wine reality in San Gimignano. We are in an area whose soils are dominated by clay and pebbles as well as shells, which remind us that this territory was once a seabed. Favorable exposure of the vineyards to full sun and delicately grassed to leave moisture in the soil. The Vernaccia grapes are harvested by hand and vinified separately for each vineyard, in order to obtain the best expression of the territory for that vintage. The grapes, after a short maceration on the skins, are delicately pressed; the musts obtained ferment at a controlled temperature and never higher than 16°C, and are then refined on the noble lees with weekly batonnage . The subsequent refinement, both in wood and in the bottle, takes place in the underground barrel room at natural temperature and humidity.
Sesta Estate - Castelnuovo dell'Abate Montalcino
The company is located south of the municipality of Montalcino, between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate, on a slope that slopes down from 400 to 200 meters above sea level. Given their magnificent position, these lands have always been considered among the most suitable in the area for the production of Brunello.
Tenute di Sesta is one of the historic companies in the Ilcinese area: in 1850 the property came into the hands of the brothers Felice and Giovanni Ciacci from Castelnuovo dell'Abate and the first bottles of Brunello date back to 1966. Respect for the terroir and the balance between tradition and innovation, are the basis of the company philosophy which has always aimed at the production of high quality red wines in full respect of typicality. The company produces wines capable of expressing the intensity, elegance and decisive character of the grape variety that dominates supreme on these lands: Sangiovese.
ENTHUSIAST BOX
Rosso di Montepulciano – Barbicaia
100% Sangiovese. Fermentation and maceration take place in "truncated-conical" stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature, with punching down integrated with pumping over. Refinement follows for 8 months in second passage barriques .
A wine with an intense ruby red color that surprises with its intense aromatic notes of ripe red fruit, which are matched by a full and full-bodied flavour. In the finish, the silky tannin closes elegantly and finely.
Pairing: crostone with melted Pienza pecorino, black cabbage and bacon.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano “Hydra” – Il Palagione
Wine produced exclusively from Vernaccia grapes; It has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose it offers initial notes of fruit, both exotic and green apple and pear, alternating with floral ones, of acacia and hawthorn; then everything is enclosed in a finish of citrus notes. The permanence on the yeasts for approximately 6 months and the frequent batonnage give a full flavour, with decided freshness, mineral, balanced and of the right flavour, with a pleasant note of almond on the finish.
Pairing: excellent aperitif accompanied by finger food: the sommelier recommends warm prawn salad with mango and almond flakes.
Camponovo Toscana Rosso – Tenuta di Sesta
A wine with a character intimately linked to the Montalcino area, which comes from the union of two local vines, Sangiovese (90%) and Colorino (10%): the first gives structure, the second pleasant fruity notes and a red color brilliant ruby. The nose shows hints of cherry, plum with floral hints of violet; the taste is fragrant, fresh and balanced, with silky tannins and a nice clean finish.
Pairing: rabbit terrine with confit Tropea onion reduction.
EXPERT BOX
Nobleman of Montepulciano – Barbicaia
100% Sangiovese. A wine that is the result of the selection of Prugnolo Gentile grapes from the highest part of the vineyard where exposure and microclimate give great concentration and richness. After fermentation in "truncated-conical" stainless steel vats, refinement follows for 24 months in first and second passage barriques . This Nobile di Montepulciano elegantly expresses the potential of a territory with a recognized wine-growing vocation. Bright ruby red in color with a slightly garnet edge, the nose shows sumptuous fruity notes of ripe cherry, black cherry and a beautiful floral bouquet . With a little oxygenation, spices, vanilla, elegant and sweet tobacco notes also arrive, for a harmony of great finesse.
In the mouth the entry is soft, enveloping without excess, it extends on the palate with pleasant returns of spices while the quality and velvety tannin accompanies the entire sip in a highly balanced, fresh and savory finish.
To drink immediately or keep in the cellar for another 5/6 years.
Pairing: guinea fowl stuffed with raisins, pine nuts and cooked must.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano “Ori” Riserva – Il Palagione
In this wine you can perceive the true potential of the vine. After a cold maceration, part of the must is fermented in steel tanks and part in barrique . The refinement lasts approximately one year, with permanence on the fine lees. Intense in color, straw yellow with golden reflections, on the nose it stands out for hints of peach, cedar and delicate floral notes accompanied by hints of saffron and almond. The taste is complex: the rounded, almost buttery entry is strong. The return is of pleasant freshness, mineral, saline, long persistence and elegant balance, with a slightly almond finish typical of the vine.
To drink immediately or keep in the cellar for another 3/4 years.
Pairing: baked sea bream in a pistachio crust with orange and new potatoes.
Rosso di Montalcino – Tenuta di Sesta
From one of the most Mediterranean areas of this denomination here is a wine capable of describing the character of Sangiovese from southern Montalcino. 100% Sangiovese, is the younger brother of Brunello, aged in 20 hl Slavonian oak barrels for one year. With a ruby red color slightly tending to garnet on the edge, the aromas are intense, with strong mineral notes, characterized by exuberant hints of ripe red fruit which are progressively accompanied by refreshing sensations of blood orange. The sip is decisive, progressive and with a strong impact: savory, soft and concluded by round tannins, with good aromatic persistence.
To drink immediately or keep in the cellar for another 5/6 years.
Pairing: pici with Cinta Senese ragù.
