We share with you our trip to Montalcino this summer, to discover this wonderful wine area and its producers
CIACCI PICCOLOMINI D'ARAGONA
In 1985, with the extinction of the family, the property is left as inheritance to Giuseppe Bianchini, already a factor of the estate for many years, which applies a totally new and cutting-edge production philosophy for those years, developing and increasing production, quality of wines and opening the export of our products in the world. Giuseppe passed away in February 2004, leaving the task of continuing his work to his sons Paolo and Lucia.Tenuta Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, located south-east in the municipality of Montalcino, extends in the immediate vicinity of the medieval village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate and the famous Romanesque abbey of S. AntimoArranged over a vast area of 220 hectares, 53 of which are dedicated to vineyards and 40 to olive groves, it has the typical characteristics of the Tuscan countryside adorned with rolling hills, pastures and woods with unforgettable colors.Set between the Poggio d'Arna and the river Orcia that borders the southern boundaries, it offers a unique panorama bordered by the typical profile of Monte Amiata. The scents, the wildlife and the houses scattered downstream make then a natural setting for the tranquility of these places.Vigna Ferraiole, Vigna Egle, Vigna Contessa and Vigna Colombaio are just some of our most important vineyards in Sangiovese grosso; all located south of Montalcino, with south-west exposure.The soils are medium-dough and galestro of Eocene origin.The clone of Sangiovese grosso is selected from the old vines present on the estate, characterized by a sparse bunch and a large berry with a thick skin. It is a particularly representative type of Sangiovese, originating from the area of Montalcino, which gives quality even in difficult years.Brunello di Montalcino DOCG "Pianrosso" and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva "Vigna di Pianrosso" Santa Caterina d'Oro both come from a careful selection of grapes from the single vineyard, the oldest and most representative.
11.69 hectares bear the word "Pianrosso", located in medium-impasto soils and galestro of Eocene origin between 240 and 360 meters s.l.m.
The Molinello winery is a completely underground structure, designed to benefit from an optimal and natural temperature. This covers an area of 2500 square meters. Conceived and designed by Giuseppe Bianchini, it was erected in the late 90s, becoming in fact the main structure of the estate, where production takes place, where all the vinification processes take place.
The first fermentation is carried out inside temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Subsequently inside the suggestive wine cellar, the heart of the cellar, numerous Slavonian oak barrels of between 7.5 and 75 hectoliters, host wines such as Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino for long years, as only tradition requires, giving to the product elegance and typicality.
Increasing emotions at the tasting starting from Rosso di Montalcino 2014 (rainy season) and 2015 (vintage top) the difference is found in the glass, passing to the Syrah 100% interesting in the fragrance given by the wood passing in barrique and ending with Brunello of Montalcino 2012 in garnet red color, on the nose a range of aromas ranging from red fruit to spices and leather. Enveloping in the mouth with soft tannins, a poem! Thanks to Simona for guiding us in the visit of this magnificent company.
Località Molinello, 53024 Montalcino SI - Italia info@ciaccipiccolomini.com
CAPANNA di CENCIONI
The Capanna farm, owned by the Cencioni family since 1957, is located in the Montosoli area, north of Montalcino. Founded by Giuseppe Cencioni, assisted by his sons Benito and Franco, it was one of the first companies of the modern age of Brunello; as early as the 1960s, he began bottling his wines and, after the recognition of Brunello di Montalcino DOC in 1966, Giuseppe was one of the 25 founders of the Brunello di Montalcino Wine Consortium.
The production, initially of a few thousand bottles, was subsequently increased with the planting of new vineyards. In 1975 the export of Brunello di Montalcino DOC - Capanna 1970 - towards Germany began; in the following years new markets were reached: United States of America, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Japan, Austria, Poland, Denmark and others (about 20 in total).
The Capanna company is still today managed exclusively on the family level, both from an agronomic point of view and from an enological point of view, making use of the collaboration of the oenologist Paolo Vagaggini.
The company vineyards, all located in the area of Montosoli - always considered one of the best in the area - are located north of Montalcino, but with exposure to the south-east; the particular micro-climate, combined with the favorable characteristics of the land, determines the production of wines with excellent structure,
but always with good acidity, elegant and fruity.
Since the 1960s, new Sangiovese vineyards have been planted which have been added to the existing ones; in the following decades the area under vines has gradually increased to over 20 ha. today.
During this long period, a specialization of the vineyards was also carried out through the careful selection of the best Sangiovese clones and ancient white Moscato strains - already present in the territory in the 16th century - and the adoption of new agronomic practices aimed at improving the vineyard ecosystem and the quality of the final product.
The current vineyards, all grown on bilateral spurred cordon, consist of Sangiovese (about 80%), white Muscat (about 3 ha), Merlot (about 1 ha) and Pinot Grigio (about 5,000 m2); these are all located at an altitude between 250 and 300 m s.l.m. and in mainly clayey soils ("galestro") and rich in skeleton.
On all the vineyards, grassing and green manure are put in place to maintain the structure and fertility of the soil; during the vegetative-productive cycle of the plants, moreover, numerous operations are carried out, such as the selection of the shoots in the spring, the management of the foliage throughout the season, the thinning of the bunches in pre-veraison and the manual harvesting - with a careful selection of the grapes according to the type of final product.
The winery, initially located in the oldest company building, has been progressively expanded step by step to the increase in the area under vines, while retaining all the building and architectural elements typical of the Tuscan countryside. Currently it is made up of a large fermentation zone, characterized by the presence of the traditional trunk-conical vats in oak where the best Sangiovese grapes are fermented for the production of Brunello and partly also of Rosso di Montalcino; the traditional processing is further enhanced by cutting-edge technologies, such as temperature control - since 1988 - and the re-assembly system - both automated -, also adopted on stainless steel tanks used for the vinification of Sant'Antimo DOC, Moscadello of Montalcino DOC and other wines.Aging takes place in Slavonian oak barrels of varying capacity - from 10 to 30 hl, depending on the type of product - positioned in a beautiful basement cellar consisting of a striking stone gallery and the original premises of the company finely restructured over the years.Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino are of good structure, tannin still beautiful scratchy, typical of the Sangiovese, beautiful bright color, fresh aromas. The Moscadello di Montalcino is a late harvest, obtained from white Moscato, bright amber-colored, with hints of dried fruit, apricot jam, honey, leather, in the mouth it is velvety, fresh and persistent. A beautiful discovery!Thanks to Daniel for the visit and friendliness
Capanna di Cencioni - Società Agricola s.s.
Loc. Capanna, 333 - 53024 Montalcino (Siena) - Italia
Tel./Fax +39 0577 848298 - Cell. +39 324 7790010
www.capannamontalcino.com info@capannamontalcino.com
