Vinification
Climate
The climate of the 2008 vintage in Montepulciano and Cortona was characterized by a ten day delay in the ripening cycle of the vine and the grapes compared to recent vintages, but by a growing season which, as well, in the end brought the grapes to perfect maturity. Abundant spring rainfall along with low temperatures, below seasonal averages, resulted in the ten day delay in ripening cited above. The month of August, instead, was warm and dry, but temperatures dipped again in early September, leaving intact the ripening delay of the previous period. This delay in physiological ripening lasted through the entire phase of the vine cycle for such late-ripening varieties as Prugnolo Gentile as well. In conclusion, the maturation of the La Braccesca grapes was a long, gradual, and balanced process, but one which concluded positively thanks to a late September and early October rise in temperatures which assisted in achieving perfectly healthy grapes, well suited - above all in terms of fragrance and elegance - for the production of high level wines.
Vinification
The optimal ripening point of the estate’s Syrah grapes arrived during the second half of the month of September. With a production per vine which averaged from one kilogram to a kilogram and a half, a very low figure, we sought to arrive at excellent ripeness levels both in terms of the sunshine absorbed and the activity of the plant itself. After picking, carried out entirely by hand, the grapes were brought to the cellar, destemmed and given a soft pressing, and the must then transferred to stainless steel tanks to begin its fermentation. Fermentation temperatures were maintained at a maximum level of 28° centigrade (82° Fahrenheit) and the fermentation itself followed a previous three to four day period of cold maceration on the skins at 7° centigrade (45° Fahrenheit) aimed at conserving the fruity and floral notes of the variety. After twenty days of fermentation and skin contact, the wine went into new, French oak barrels (60 gallons in capacity) where it went through a complete malolactic fermentation and began a sixteen month period of barrel aging. Bottling, at 14° of alcohol, took place during the summer of 2010.
Historical Data
The estate’s name comes from the historical farm that once stood there, owned by the Count of Bracci, whose coat of arms appears on the estate’s logo; an arm covered with armor brandishing a sword. The property extends over an area of 508 hectares (1255 acres) and the vineyards cover an area of 340 hectares (840 acres) divided into two blocks: the first is 366 hectares (904 acres) of which 237 (585 acres) are planted with vineyards and is located on the border between the cities of Montepulciano and Cortona. The other block is 142 hectares (350 acres) of which 103 (254 acres) are planted with vineyards, it extends all the way to Montepulciano encompassing three of the most famous parcels of land known for the production of great red wines: Cervognano, Santa Pia and Gracciano. Bramasole is made from the sunniest part of the vineyard in one of Cortona’s best areas for the production of premium quality Syrah. Bramasole is a wine able to evolve over time and reflect this territory and its long-standing winemaking traditions using a new untraditional variety. Bramasole’s first vintage was 2000.
Tasting Notes
A lovely full red in color with aromas of chocolate: these are the characteristics with which this wine presents itself. The first sensations on the palate are sweet and soft, and the long finish and aftertaste show delicate notes of licorice and ripe fruit.
Awards
James Suckling 92/100 USA Wine Enthusiast 92/100 USA
Climate
The climate of the 2008 vintage in Montepulciano and Cortona was characterized by a ten day delay in the ripening cycle of the vine and the grapes compared to recent vintages, but by a growing season which, as well, in the end brought the grapes to perfect maturity. Abundant spring rainfall along with low temperatures, below seasonal averages, resulted in the ten day delay in ripening cited above. The month of August, instead, was warm and dry, but temperatures dipped again in early September, leaving intact the ripening delay of the previous period. This delay in physiological ripening lasted through the entire phase of the vine cycle for such late-ripening varieties as Prugnolo Gentile as well. In conclusion, the maturation of the La Braccesca grapes was a long, gradual, and balanced process, but one which concluded positively thanks to a late September and early October rise in temperatures which assisted in achieving perfectly healthy grapes, well suited - above all in terms of fragrance and elegance - for the production of high level wines.
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
