Vinification
Climate
Winter 2011, mild and quite rainy, assisted in creating good reserves of water both in the soil and in the estate’s two irrigation lakes. Bud break, in early April, was slightly early and cool weather from this period to early July, led to a regular development of vegetation. The second half of July and, especially, the month of August were very hot, and a severe selection of the grapes during the harvest was necessary to eliminate berries which were either not completely ripe or raisined. Parcel by parcel picking and a double passage through the vineyard gave us, nonetheless, fragrant wines with quality tannins.
Vinification
The grapes were selected during picking, then destemmed and pressed in the cellar. The must went into stainless steel tanks and was chilled to 46-50° Fahrenheit (8-10° centigrade) during the first 4-5 days to achieve greater fragrance and integrity of fruit. Fermentation took place at 77° Fahrenheit (25° centigrade) and lasted fifteen days; soft extraction techniques were used to enhance suppleness of tannins. After being run off its skins, the wine went into stainless steel tanks and finished its malolactic fermentation by the end of the year. It was then racked into small oak barrels, where it aged for twelve months and was bottled at 14° alcohol. A period of bottle aging preceded release.
Historical Data
The Fattoria Le Mortelle estate is located in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma just a few kilometers away from the town of Castiglione Pescaia in an extraordinary and fascinating position both in terms of its natural setting and the history of the area which surrounds it. The Antinori family has always been present in the zone. A property act of 1863 mentions, among other possessions, Poggio Franco, one of the highest quality vineyard plots of the estate, along with other landed parcels. Since 1999, the family has worked both on the vineyards and on new cellars, convinced that this part of Tuscany, already gaining much visibility in the overall Italian viticultural picture, had a very important potential for quality wine. And that here it was possible to express, at a high level, both the characteristics of the terroir and the grape varieties to be cultivated. The estate extends over some 675 acres (270 hectares), 432 of which (175 hectares) are planted to vines Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, along with the more recently planted white varieties (Vermentino, Ansonica, and Viognier) and a small percentage of Carménère. The soil, of medium consistence, sandy and loamy, has a composition principally of clay and silica and, in certain zones, is rather stony as well.
Tasting Notes
The aromas are intensely minty and show sweeter notes of ripe red berry fruit and spices as well. The wine is velvety on the palate, savory and solid with a vibrant finish and a fruity aftertas.
Climate
Winter 2011, mild and quite rainy, assisted in creating good reserves of water both in the soil and in the estate’s two irrigation lakes. Bud break, in early April, was slightly early and cool weather from this period to early July, led to a regular development of vegetation. The second half of July and, especially, the month of August were very hot, and a severe selection of the grapes during the harvest was necessary to eliminate berries which were either not completely ripe or raisined. Parcel by parcel picking and a double passage through the vineyard gave us, nonetheless, fragrant wines with quality tannins.
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
