Tasting Notes
Climate
Temperatures throughout the winter were mild, rarely dropping below 0° C. Thanks to a serene and balanced spring, especially due to the absence of rain, plant regrowth was excellent, developing about 15 days ahead of schedule, as compared to the previous year. This made it necessary to carry out certain activities in the vineyard contemporaneously; which usually take place consecutively one by one. The months of July and August were hot but without peaks in temperature, thus permitting grape maturation to take place gradually and steadily. The absence of rainy days during the period of grape maturation resulted in extremely healthy bunches, even if they ripened ahead of time and weighed less, consequently producing a lower quantity. The chardonnay harvest began in the first half of August and continued to the first days of September.
Vinification
The grapes originate from 15 to 20 year-old vineyards located on the lands surrounding Castello della Sala, growing at altitudes between 200 and 400 meters above sea level. This terrain dates back to the Pliocene era and is therefore rich in marine fossils mixed with some clay soils. As soon as the grape bunches were picked they were transferred to a refrigerated woven-wire, in order to assure low temperatures at the moment of crushing/destemming. The varietals were separately vinified and in the end, in order to augment the aromatic properties, the grape-must was left in contact with the skins between 8 and 12 hours at 10° C. After this phase, the musts were transferred into 225-liter new wood barrels made of French oak (Alliers and Troncais) where alcoholic fermentation took place for 14 days. The wine remained in contact with the lees in wooden barrels for about six months, during which time malolactic fermentation was completed. It was then blended and bottled. This was followed by a period of another 10 months of bottle-ageing in the historic wine cellars of Castello della Sala before being introduced to the market.
Historical Data
The name Cervaro comes from the noble family that owned Castello della Sala during the 14th century, Monaldeschi della Cervara. A blend of Chardonnay grapes and a small quantity of Grechetto make a wine that can age over time and represent the elegance and complexity of this unique estate. Cervaro della Sala is one of the first Italian wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques. The first vintage of Cervaro to be produced was the 1985 vintage.
Tasting Notes
The wine has an intense and complex aroma, in which notes of citrus, pear, and acacia flowers are fused with hints of vanilla. On the palate the wine is full and well-structured, with sweet notes of butter and hazelnut, while at the same time persistent and minerally. It is a wine destined to evolve and age excellently.
Awards
Associazione Italiana Sommelier - "Duemilavini 2010" Guide Cinque Grappoli Italy Gambero Rosso "Vini D'italia 2009" Guide Tre Bicchieri Italy I Vini Di Veronelli 2009 Super Tre Stelle Italy
Climate
Temperatures throughout the winter were mild, rarely dropping below 0° C. Thanks to a serene and balanced spring, especially due to the absence of rain, plant regrowth was excellent, developing about 15 days ahead of schedule, as compared to the previous year. This made it necessary to carry out certain activities in the vineyard contemporaneously; which usually take place consecutively one by one. The months of July and August were hot but without peaks in temperature, thus permitting grape maturation to take place gradually and steadily. The absence of rainy days during the period of grape maturation resulted in extremely healthy bunches, even if they ripened ahead of time and weighed less, consequently producing a lower quantity. The chardonnay harvest began in the first half of August and continued to the first days of September.
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
