1995 Brunello di Montalcino "Pian delle Vigne" - Antinori

• 1995 Brunello di Montalcino "Pian delle Vigne" - Antinori

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Vintage 1995
Content: 0.75lt.
Grapes 100% Sangiovese
Climate Vintage
The autumn of 2003 was marked by considerable rain, which allowed a replenishment of the underground strata of the soil, which had been put to the test by the intense summer drought. Severe winter temperatures and continual, heavy rain led to a 10-day delay in the start of spring growth compared with previous years. Normal spring weather conditions followed by an excellent summer allowed the grapes to ripen well. The harvest began after the 20th September and was finished on the 14th October.

Vinification
The first, careful selection of the grapes took place in mid-July (green harvest) and the second at the pre-picking stage. In this way, only the best bunches were brought into the cellar for the production of Pian delle Vigne. The grapes were de-stemmed and gently crushed and maceration continued for between 12 to 20 days in 125-hectoliter stainless steel vats. During this time the wine completed alcoholic fermentation at a temperature no higher than 27°C. The wine was then racked into oak barrels, ranging in size from 30 to 80 hectoliters, where, after malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for a further two years. It was bottled during the summer of 2008. Alcohol: 14% vol.

History
The Pian delle Vigne estate is located 6 km south of Montalcino, above the Val d’Orcia. It takes its name from a typical 19th century railway station located within the estate and still in use. The estate is comprised of 180 hectares, 65 hectares of which are mainly southeast facing vineyards, planted at an altitude of between 130 and 200 m asl. The soil is mainly clay and limestone, rich in small skeletal deposits. Pian delle Vigne’s Brunello di Montalcino is produced only with Sangiovese grapes (known in Montalcino as “Brunello”), according to a meticulous production discipline. The most important regulations govern the production area - the municipality of Montalcino; the grape variety - Sangiovese; the maximum grape yield - 80 quintals per hectare; wine yield from the grape - 68%; minimum ageing in wood - at least two years in oak; minimum ageing in the bottle - at least 4 months (6 months for the “Riserva”); minimum alcohol content - 12% vol; earliest release date – the 1st of January of the fifth year following the harvest (after six years for the “Riserva”).

Taste
Ruby red to garnet color. Aromatic and complex on the nose, with hints of spices, cherries, blackberries, light tobacco and pleasant chocolate undertones. Very full-bodied and broad on the palate, with an intense sweetness, decisive but smooth, elegant tannins and a long, persistent finish.