Pinot Nero 2011

Climate

The climate of the 2011 was rather unusual: after a July with sunny, but not particularly warm, days and with nighttime temperatures below 64° Fahrenheit (18° centigrade), a wave of torrid weather - with daytime temperatures as high as 105° Fahrenheit (40° centigrade) and little nighttime coolness - then arrived. Fortunately, an excellent canopy of leaves and reasonable supply of ground water, along with a careful selection of the grapes, prevented problems of raisining from arising. Continuing high temperatures made timely picking a necessity, and the harvest began in early September. The 2011 vintage, despite these climatic conditions, nonetheless gave rich grapes and fragrant and elegant wines which, above all, showed ripe tannins and the promise of excellent longevity.

Vinification

The grapes were picked from vineyards situated at 1325 feet (400 meters) above sea level on the Castello della Sala estate, a property near the city of Orvieto in Umbria. After destemming and a partial pressing, the grapes went into stainless steel tanks where they fermented ten days; during this period, maximum attention was given to the extraction of color and tannins. The must fermented at a temperature of 79° Fahrenheit (26° centigrade) and finished in French (Allier, Tronçais) oak barrels, where it also completed its malolactic fermentation. Aging lasted eight months and the wine was then bottled. A nine month period of bottle aging in the Castello della Sala cellars preceded commercial release.

Tasting Notes

A brilliant garnet red in color and endowed with spicy notes and delicate aromas of violets and blueberries, this Pinot Noir is tasty and supple in its tannins and promises to evolution very well indeed in bottle.

The Wine

The first vintage to be produced was the 1990 vintage. The wine is made entirely with Pinot Nero grapes and is considered Cervaro’s alter ego: together they represent the two different expressions of Castello della Sala’s complex and refined spirit. Four hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero vineyards sit at an altitude of 400 meters (1312 feet) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in fossils with sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch.

Climate

Mild winter weather and very limited precipitation marked the beginning of the 2023 growing season. Spring brought higher than average levels of rainfall that recharged groundwater reservoirs in vineyard soils, slowing down budbreak and vegetative growth. Flowering took place towards the end of May and fruit set followed one week later, about 7 days later than seasonal averages. Warmer summer-like temperatures set in the last half of July and lasted throughout the end of August, accompanied by optimal temperature swings between day and night. These conditions allowed the grapes to progress through a gradual and well-balanced ripening phase producing fully mature fruit. Weather conditions were favorable during harvesting activities allowing a methodical and careful selection of the best grapes to enhance the finest expression of Pinot Nero. The grape harvest began the first week of September; grapes presented outstanding freshness and an exceptional aromatic profile.

Vinification

After destemming and gentle crushing, the grapes were transferred into small stainless steel truncated cone shaped tanks where cold maceration was performed over a period of three days. Alcoholic fermentation followed at a controlled temperature of 26 °C (78.8 °F) and lasted for about one week and was then completed in 228-liter oak where the wine completed malolactic fermentation and continued to age for several months. Pinot Nero della Sala aged in the bottle in the castle’s historical cellar for an additional period before being released for sale.

Historical Data

The ten acres (four hectares) of Pinot Noir grapes at the Castello della Sala estate are situated at an altitude of over 1300 feet (400 meters) above sea level on calcareous soils rich in marine fossils which alternate with strata of sedimentary sands from the Pliocene epoch. The wine was first produced in 1990. Castello della Sala is a fortress erected in the 14th century located approximately ten miles (18 kilometers) from the city of Orvieto and was acquired by the Antinori family in 1940.

Tasting Notes

Pinot Nero della Sala 2023 is bright garnet red in color. The nose expresses a generous and complex bouquet with floral notes of violets and dried roses meet fruity aromas of crisp cherries and raspberries, accentuated by delicate citrus hints of red oranges. Impressions of spices are refined and well-integrated with hints of pink pepper, coriander, cloves accompanied by light balsamic notes and medicinal herbs. The palate is intense, dynamic, mouth filling with a juicy entry sustained by excellent freshness. Tannins are silky, refined and perfectly mature. This Pinot Nero offers a well-balanced structure and can be enjoyed immediately but will be able to express its full potential after several years of aging in the bottle.

Castello della Sala

Castello della Sala is located in the Umbria region, not far from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers from the historic city of Orvieto. The Medieval castle’s property extends over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres), 229 hectares (495 acres) are planted with vineyards at an altitude that varies between 220 and 470 meters above sea level (722/1541 feet) on the gently rolling hillsides that characterize the beautiful countryside in this area. Castello della Sala is the perfect place for growing white varieties. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night. The one exception to the rule is Pinot Noir, the only red variety that has found in this area ideal growing conditions to best express its full potential.