Brunello Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia Riserva 2015
GRAPEVINE
100% Sangiovese
CLIMATE
The 2010 vintage was characterised by rain between late winter and spring; this condition, combined with below-average spring temperatures, caused a slight delay in budding and a slight reduction in production. The summer was marked by fine, stable weather, with some rainfall in August, which mitigated the climate. From veraison to ripening, the weather conditions were very positive, allowing harmonious development, with full synchrony between phenolic and sugar ripening. The harvest began on 22 September and took place in particularly favourable weather conditions.
WINEMAKING
After being carefully selected in the vineyard by means of a green selection at the beginning of July and a second, later selection, closer to the harvest, and thanks also to an overall rather favourable climatic trend, the grapes arrived at the winery at the peak of their sugar and phenolic ripeness. Following soft destemming and crushing, the grapes were transferred to steel tanks, where they remained in maceration for between three and four weeks. During this phase, the extraction of the aromatic notes and structural components typical of the ripe Sangiovese of this area was favoured by pumping over and delestage, carried out with full respect for the quality of the grapes.
Once the vinification phase was completed, the wine began its period of ageing in wood, which lasted for about two and a half years. Initially, maturation took place in small barrels of 5 Hl each, and then in larger containers, up to the size of 30 Hl. The wine was bottled in April 2014.
HISTORICAL DATA
The Pian delle Vigne estate is located 6 km south of Montalcino, above the Val d'Orcia and takes its name from a characteristic 19th century railway station located within the estate. The estate consists of 184 hectares, 65 of which are planted in vineyards with a predominantly south-eastern exposure and an altitude between 130 and 200 metres above sea level. The soil tends to be clayey and calcareous, rich in small stones. Brunello di Montalcino is produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes (called 'Brunello' in Montalcino) according to the rules of a very detailed specification whose salient points are: - production zone: Municipality of Montalcino - grape variety: Sangiovese - maximum grape yield: 70 quintals per hectare - grape yield in wine: 68% - compulsory wood ageing: at least 2 years in oak - compulsory bottle ageing: at least 4 months (6 months for the "Riserva" type) - minimum alcohol content: 12.5% vol. - released for consumption: from the 1st of January of the 5th year after the harvest (from the 6th for the "Riserva" type).
TASTING NOTES
Intense ruby red colour with slight garnet hues, the Vignaferrovia 2010 expresses on the nose notes of ripe red fruit, at times overripe, with balsamic reflections accompanied by hints of spice, tobacco and leather. The palate is decisive and powerful with a soft, silky impact and a good acid-tannic balance that lends freshness and length to the taste. Savoury, mineral and persistent, it has an aftertaste that recalls the main olfactory notes, from ripe fruit to hints of spices and bitter chocolate.
