Vinification
Climate
2018 was a, on the whole, a somewhat cool vintage, distinguished by precipitation which was capable of favoring the correct development of the vegetative cycle of the vine. January was mild in temperature and with little rainfall, while late February and early March were marked by cold air and snowfall, followed by above average rains which assisted in re-establishing reserves of ground water in the soil. Spring and early summer rainfall then slightly slowed the development of the grape berries. Warm weather and excellent temperature swings between daytime warmth and evening and nighttime coolness from mid-July up until and through the month of August favored a slow and steady ripening of the crop. Picking of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes began towards the end of August and concluded with the SĂ©millon harvest towards the middle of September. The grapes were healthy, ripe, and distinguished by a high level of aromatic expressiveness and an excellent fragrance of personality.
Vinification
The decision to pick the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes was taken on the basis of the balance between the sugar concentration and the maximum expression of the aromatic varietal aromas of the crop. The berries, harvested manually, went immediately to the cellar where they were chilled by means of a refrigerated conveyor belt which, lowering the temperature level before pressing, helped to preserve intense varietal aromas. After this soft pressing, the must, kept for several hours at a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit (10° centigrade) to assist a natural settling of the impurities, went into stainless steel fermentation tanks where it fermented at a temperature held to a maximum of 61° Fahrenheit (16° centigrade). After this operation, the wine was conserved at a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit to block a successive malolactic fermentation and maintain, unchanged, the wine’s flavor and aroma. The two grape varieties were then blended together to enable the one part of “complete” the other. Fresh, savory, vital, and lightly aromatic the Sauvignon, supple and tropical the Sémillon.
Historical Data
The vineyards selected to be utilized for the Conte della Vipera are located at an altitude between 825 and 1050 feet (250-350 meters) above sea level on soils rich in marine fossils. The wine takes its name from first proprietors of the Castello della Sala, and the label shows the 13th century Saint John’s Chapel (the Cappella d San Giovanni) situated on the estate. The first vintage of Conte della Vipera to be produced was the 1997.
Tasting Notes
The 2018 Conte della Vipera shows a straw yellow color with greenish highlights. The nose is distinguished by citric fruit notes, much grapefruit, well balanced by hints of aromatic herbs and anisette (sambuca) flowers. On the palate, the fruity aromas and the delicate mineral impressions unite in balance and harmony. Decisive and persistent the finish and aftertaste.
Awards
Wine Advocate 90/100 USA
Climate
2018 was a, on the whole, a somewhat cool vintage, distinguished by precipitation which was capable of favoring the correct development of the vegetative cycle of the vine. January was mild in temperature and with little rainfall, while late February and early March were marked by cold air and snowfall, followed by above average rains which assisted in re-establishing reserves of ground water in the soil. Spring and early summer rainfall then slightly slowed the development of the grape berries. Warm weather and excellent temperature swings between daytime warmth and evening and nighttime coolness from mid-July up until and through the month of August favored a slow and steady ripening of the crop. Picking of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes began towards the end of August and concluded with the SĂ©millon harvest towards the middle of September. The grapes were healthy, ripe, and distinguished by a high level of aromatic expressiveness and an excellent fragrance of personality.
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
