| 80% Chardonnay, 20% Grechetto Taste: Very fruity and complex on the nose, with hints of vanilla and excellent varietal character. In the mouth it is structured with a very long finish. Climate Vintage: The favorable weather patterns at the beginning of spring favored an early budding of about one week for the various varieties. All through the spring we had excellent weather, warm temperatures and the right amount of rain, resulting in excellent flowering and the relative vegetal cycle. This optimal vegetative balance of the vines ended in full ripening between the end of July and the beginning of August, about 7 to 10 days earlier than usual. The excessive heat wave around mid August, lasting only a week, did not slow down maturation, and the first grapes gathered showed immediate promise of an excellent vintage. Due to the early ripening of the grapes, we began our green harvest just after mid-August, selecting and thinning to eliminate any excessive production. In conclusion, the early harvest coupled with a rainless period of picking allowed us to bring in excellent mature grapes. Vinification: The grapes come from 14-18 year old vines planted at Antinori's Castello della Sala, at elevations ranging between 200 and 400 metres (656 and 1,312 feet), in Pliocene sedimentary soils rich in marine fossils with some clay. The grapes were harvested and immediately placed in special refrigerated conveyer equipment to ensure that the grapes would be cool on arrival at the press. The grape varieties were vinified separately. In order to maximise the wine's aromas, the musts remained in contact with the skins for about 8 hours at 10°C. Afterwards the musts were transferred to new French oak 225 liter barrels (Alliers and Troncais) where alcoholic fermentation took place over a period of 15 days. The wine remained on the lees (sur lie) in the barriques for about 5 months, during which time it completed its malolactic fermentation. It was then racked, blended, bottled, and remained a further 10 months in the bottle in the historic cellars of Castello della Sala before being released. Alcohol: 13.50% vol. History: In 1987, Antinori introduced its first Chardonnay-based wine, the 1985 vintage Cervaro della Sala, a name that translates as Stag of the Hall, and was taken from that of the 14th century feudal owners of Castello della Sala, an Umbrian castle Antinori purchased in 1940. The wine has won numerous awards, including the coveted three goblets from Gambero Rosso (one of Italy's leading wine magazines). |
