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The grapes originating from the Santa Pia Vineyard, in the municipality of Montepulciano, attained the right degree of ripeness in the last days of September. After destemming, the grapes were gently crushed in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit and to prevent the problems of oxidation to the must. This was followed by maceration, which lasted about 20 days, during which the wine completed alcoholic fermentation at temperatures not exceeding 30° C. The wine was then put into French and Hungarian new-wood barrels, where malolactic fermentation was carried out. Barrel-aging continued for 15 months with several rackings. The wine was then bottled and aged for another 20 months approximately. Alcohol : 13.5% Vol.
This wine is produced from a 15-hectare vineyard located in Santa Pia, one of the most renowned areas for producing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The vineyard is planted with Prugnolo Gentile (a Sangiovese varietal) carefully selected over the years in order to obtain a vineyard selection that best expresses the character of this place. The La Braccesca estate, which altogether covers an area of 379 hectares, is composed of two separate bodies: the historic nucleus of the company is located in the zone of Montepulciano, with 86 hectares in the best sub-zones cultivated for the production of Nobile di Montepulciano. The other part of the vineyard, with 151 hectares, is located at the foot of the hills surrounding Cortona.
The single-vineyard 2004 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigneto Santa Pia possesses superior density and weight in its core of super-ripe dark fruit, leather, spices, smoke, cured meats and sweet toasted oak. Although it shows outstanding length and compelling inner sweetness it also shut down quickly in the glass, suggesting another year or two in bottle is necessary before the wine is ready to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. - 90 points/WA
Guess what? Feel free to decant and air all you want!! It's raring to GO!
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