Pian delle Vigne Vigna Ferrovia 2012
Climate
The 2012 vintage was characterized by an Autumn of balanced weather followed by a cold Winter and a mild Spring. Summer was marked by a climate which, on the whole, was hot, particularly during its initial part, assisting a regular ripening of the grapes. Towards the end of August, significant drops in temperature and important temperature swings from daytime heat to evening and nighttime coolness favored the development of the intensity and complexity of the aromatic components of the Sangiovese grapes. The picking of the grapes took place between late September and early October in days with a dry and mild climate.
Vinification
The careful and precise selection of the grape bunches, carried out by means of a cropping thinning in various phases before full ripeness was achieved, along with generally fine weather, guaranteed the arrival in the cellars of grapes where were perfectly whole, healthy and ripe. The berries, after destemming and a soft pressing, produced a must which went immediately into the stainless steel fermentation tanks where it fermented and macerated on its skins for about 24 days before leaving the tanks to be aged in oak casks. The slow and gradual aging began in 130 gallon (500 liter) barrels and then proceeded in 800 gallon (3000) liter formats, and the total aging period lasted two and a half years. In the month of May 2016 the Vignaferrovia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva left its casks to be bottled and then aged before release.
Tasting Notes
The 2012 Vignaferrovia shows an intense ruby red color. The nose offers, initially, notes of wild cherries, ripe black fruit, and red currants then balanced by supplementary balsamic and spicy sensations. The palate is rich and full and character by well integrated velvety tannins. The long and persistent finish is marked by hints of spices, fruit under spirits, and chocolate and given a further complexity and vigor by a light and delicate vein of acidity.
Awards
James Suckling 92/100 USA Wine Advocate 93/100 USA Wine Enthusiast 94/100 USA
The Wine
Vignaferrovia is only produced in the finest vintages from the grapes of a small 4 hectare (10 acre) parcel in the vineyard adjacent to the 19th century railway station on the estate. The soil is principally calcareous clay rich in small stones. The wine is elegant and captivating, characterized by a dense tannic structure complemented by freshness and sweetness. The first vintage of Vignaferrovia to be produced was 2004. It was not produced in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
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.
Rocky soils
The Vignaferrovia vineyard grows on rocky, gravelly soils, a condition that naturally limits the grapevineās growth rate and enhances the quality of the berries.
Sea breezes
Southwestern vineyard exposure allows sea breezes to mitigate hot summer temperatures and limit heat spikes.
A personal interpretation
The Antinori family wanted to give their own deeply personal interpretation of the historic wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
Climate
The 2016 growing season began with very little rainfall in winter and a mild spring. These climatic conditions prompted slightly earlier bud break and flowering, while fruit set occurred normally. Summer was cooler than 2015 yet temperatures rose above seasonal averages especially during July and August. Light precipitation during the month of September and the resulting cooler temperatures allowed the grapes to progress to optimal ripeness, boosting Sangioveseās freshness and imparting soft, well-balanced tannins. Grapes for Vignaferrovia were harvested between the end of September and the beginning of October.
Vinification
A meticulous selection of grape clusters and favorable climate trends brought intact and perfectly ripe grapes to the cellar. The berries were destemmed and gently crushed then transferred into stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place. Maceration on the skins lasted for a period of approximately 3 weeks, and once concluded, the wine began a period of aging in oak. This gradual, balanced aging process took place over two years starting in small 5 hl barrels progressing to 30 hl capacity barrels. Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia was bottled and began a lengthy period of aging in the bottle.
Historical Data
The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. The property consists of 460 total acres (184 hectares), 160 of which (65 hectares) are planted to vines with generally a south-western exposure at an altitude of 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level. The estate, since the very beginning, has followed a philosophy based on aging in large casks capable of preserving the exceptional integrity and fruit of the Sangiovese grapes and endow this Brunello with a characteristic vibrant elegance. Pian delle Vigne has belonged to the Antinori family since 1995, the the year of the first Pian delle Vigne vintage. Vignaferrovia is produced only in superior vintages from a small, 10 acre (4 hectare) vineyard plot adjacent to the 19th century railroad station and perched on soils which consist principally of clay and calcareous elements, rich in small stones as well. It was not produced in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
Tasting Notes
Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia 2016 is ruby red in color with light garnet reflections. Its complex and intense nose offers notes of ripe plums and Morello cherries that merge with aromas of dried flowers, lavender, sandalwood, and herbs from the Mediterranean scrub. Its bouquet is completed by pleasant sensations of cocoa powder, sweet spicy hints of cinnamon, cloves, and a vibrant sanguine note, typical of Sangiovese.Ā On the palate, Vignaferrovia has a rich, compact entry with soft silky tannins that together with its lively, fresh character, makes the wine intense, refined, with a persistent finish. Notes of leather, tobacco, and fresh balsamic sensations, almost minty, define its finish together with aromas of ripe Morello cherries and bitter cocoa.
Tenuta Pian delle Vigne
The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. Pian delle Vigne stretches out over an area of 184 hectares (454 acres) of which 65 hectares (160 acres) are planted with vineyards that grow at an altitude of approximately 130 meters (426 feet) above sea level and enjoy a southwestern exposure. The estateās namesake wine, Pian delle Vigne, represents Marchesi Antinoriās deeply personal interpretation of a prestigious and traditional wine such as Brunello di Montalcino. The Antinori family acquired the estate in 1995, the same year the first Brunello Pian delle Vigne was harvested.
Soil
Calcareous clay soil with an abundance of fine gravel and stones.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
