DUCA DI MONTALBO ROSSO 2007 I.G.T. SICILIA

GRAPES: Special selections of Nero d'Avola and Nero Cappuccio
TYPE OF SOIL: Montalbo, a plateau of marly origin with a high clayey component, strongly calcareous
TRAINING SYSTEM: Guyot and spurred cordon
HARVEST PERIOD: End of October
HARVEST METHOD: Selection of the bunches on the plant and manual harvesting in boxes of 14 kg
VINIFICATION: The grapes are selected by hand then de-stemmed and then transferred to vertical fermenters where the must has been subjected to periodic pumping over. A long maceration on the skins until the pomace is completely lowered. The malolactic fermentation was carried out in oak barrels for the Nero d'Avola, while the large barrels were used for the Nero Cappuccio
MATURATION: About 48 months in barriques and large barrels, followed by a period in steel tanks. Final refinement in the bottle
ALCOHOL: 14% vol
DESCRIPTION: It is our most precious Red. Only the best harvests, using the oldest vineyards, with over 50 years of life and with the lowest yield, become Duca di Montalbo. The Cru is decisive: the Montalbo district is characterized by 100% calcareous marl, a "lunar" soil surprisingly suitable for the long aging of red wines.

THE HARVEST: The 2007 harvest was a great year for red wines. It was characterized by a very hot summer but with strong temperature variations, right up to the end. The value of the vintage is linked to the fact that it has allowed a perfect and exceptional ripening of the polyphenols and tannins. The result is “full” wines with a polyphenolic character, but extremely fresh, with balsamic and spicy notes, smooth and velvety on the palate.

SENSORY NOTES: An intense red color with purple reflections. On the fresh and elegant nose, it lets out hints of fresh red fruit where blackberry, raspberry and plum stand out, it closes with spicy notes, aromatic vegetable hints such as rosemary and thyme. On the palate it is powerful and structured: rich in tannins of exceptional quality, silky and elegant. Full-bodied and fresh at the same time it reveals a great gustatory persistence.