Tasting Notes
Climate
The 2009 vintage was characterized by mild temperatures and by abundant rainfall which contributed, during the first half of April, to an excellent bud break on the vines. The period from April 20th to May 15th was marked by significantly lower than average temperatures; this unusual cold spell delayed development of the vegetation which, nonetheless, regained force with the warmth of the second half of May. Fruit set took place, as usual, during the first part of June and thevegetation continued to develop positively thanks to a rather rainy early summer. The rainfall assisted in maintaining a good vegetative balance even during the hot month of August, guaranteeing a complete color change in the grapes. Positive temperature swings between daytime heat and evening and nighttime coolness during August allowed the gapes to ripen gradually and reach harvest time in healthy, intact conditions. The picking was carried out at the end of September in warm and dry weather which allowed the grapes to be harvested at optimal levels of maturity. The wine which resulted is balanced, ripe, and intense.
Vinification
The grapes, once harvested, destemmed, and softly pressed, went into stainless steel fermentation tanks. The initial phase of fermentation consisted of a three to four day pre-fermentation cold maceration on the skins, which lowered the temperatures of the must to 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit (5-10° centigrade), a procedure aimed at extracting volatile substances and coloring elements from the skins without extraction of tannins. The must was then warmed, inoculated with selected yeasts, and fermented for a week on its skins at temperatures which peaked at 86° Fahrenheit (30° centigrade). Only soft extraction methods (pumping over, delestage) were utilized during this phase. The wine then went into 60 gallon barrels of French and American oak, where it went through a complete malolactic fermentation. Aging in oak lasted for a total period of ten months and the wine (at 13.5° alcohol) was then bottled and given a further eight months of bottle aging before commercial release.
Historical Data
The Fattoria Aldobrandesca estate is located in the heart of southern Tuscan Maremma, in the center of what is known as “the Etruscan Tuff zone”. This wine is dedicated to the “Vie Cave”, or excavated roads, passageways excavated in cliffs of tuff in the area of Sovana. Our estate’s vineyards carry on the tradition of revealing ancient customs and traditions. Via Cave was created after very careful geological and oenological research intended to release the potential of this new variety in the Italian viticultural scene. Malbec, a French grape, thrives in Maremma’s volcanic soils, prospering in its new terroir.
Tasting Notes
An intense ruby red in color, the wine is characterized by complex nose with notes of ripe black fruit, liquorice, and spices. On the palate the texture is silky and full with an excellent density and persistence. Notes of ripe black fruit, liquorice, coffee, and dark chocolate emerge on the finish and aftertaste.
Climate
The 2009 vintage was characterized by mild temperatures and by abundant rainfall which contributed, during the first half of April, to an excellent bud break on the vines. The period from April 20th to May 15th was marked by significantly lower than average temperatures; this unusual cold spell delayed development of the vegetation which, nonetheless, regained force with the warmth of the second half of May. Fruit set took place, as usual, during the first part of June and thevegetation continued to develop positively thanks to a rather rainy early summer. The rainfall assisted in maintaining a good vegetative balance even during the hot month of August, guaranteeing a complete color change in the grapes. Positive temperature swings between daytime heat and evening and nighttime coolness during August allowed the gapes to ripen gradually and reach harvest time in healthy, intact conditions. The picking was carried out at the end of September in warm and dry weather which allowed the grapes to be harvested at optimal levels of maturity. The wine which resulted is balanced, ripe, and intense.
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
