1 BOTTLE X 75cl

80% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

After a fall and winter characterized by mild temperatures and frequent rainfall, spring began with similar weather, which determined a slight delay first in bud break and then in the following phases of flowering and bud set. The months of Mau and June were a bit cooler than the historic averages, while July and August were quite warm and dry, but without excessively hot peak temperatures. The month of September and the first half of October, the period of the harvest, were climatically ideal - in addition to warm daytime temperatures, there were significant temperature swings from daytime warmth to evening and nighttime coolness which assisted the grapes in achieving excellent ripeness. Picking operations, generally later than in recent vintages, began during the second half of September, first with the Sangiovese around September 25th and then with the Cabernet Franc between September 29th and 30th. The Cabernet Sauvignon, finally, was harvested between October 5th and 15th under perfect climatic conditions for the quality of the fruit.

The climate of the growing season required an intense and careful selection of the grapes both in the vineyard and in the cellars. This rigorous selection assisted in giving an additional quality level to the grapes to be used for Tignanello which, already exceptional in terms of both their typicality and personality, regularly give wines of outstanding character and structure. Extreme care was given to the freshness of the aromas and to the extraction of color and tannins aimed at the maximum suppleness and elegance during the period of fermentation and skin contact in conical fermenting tanks. Once the wine was run off its skins, it was put through a complete malolactic fermentation in oak barrels in order to heighten to the maximum degree the finesse and the fragrance of the aromas. The twelve to fourteen months aging period then began and took place in French and Hungarian oak barrels, partly new and partly used once previously. During this phase, the various lots, fermented variety by variety, completed the aging process and were then assembled to create the finished wine just a few months before bottling.

An intense ruby red in color with purple highlights, the 2013 Tignanello shows a nose of great red fruit intensity along with highly pleasurable notes of vanilla, chocolate, and leather from the well balanced contribution and fusion of the aromas of the oak. The spicy and balsamic sensations which give additional complexity are also quite important. The wine is ample and enveloping on the palate with supple tannins and a savory freshness which fully respects the character and personality of the Sangiovese grape. The balance between acidity and tannins is excellent, and the finish and aftertaste are of a lovely length and persistence.