“2017, hot season, deep and elegant wine…a walk through the vineyard”
Precipitation and temperatures
Low rainfall from winter 2016 to the end of summer 2017 and low relative humidity, combined with summer temperatures among the highest ever, has proved been very challenging. Rainfall has been 25% lower than that of vintages of the last 15 years.
WINTER – Warm and with little rain. A single cold spell in January with a light snowfall followed by a warmer than normal February and March.
SPRING – In line with the vintage as described except for a late frost in April, with a return to normal temperature in May. This was followed by an exceptionally hot summer.
SUMMER – rainfall from June to August was very poor, with levels below 25 mm (and therefore over 100 mm below the average of the last 15 years). In August, among the hottest of the last 30 years, temperatures close to 39-40 ° C were reached.
Precipitation and temperature graph + flowering, veraison, harvest
Maturation
The year was particularly tough due to climatic conditions characterized by temperatures that were almost always above the norm, and very low rainfall.
The grassy soil has proved resistant to the high temperatures and benefits the vineyard, especially in the absence of night-day heat exchange.
The clay retained the scant rain, and then released the water in second part of the season during the very intense heat.
The bud break took place about ten days earlier than last year, as did the flowering. The transit flowering / onset of ripening was characterized by higher-than-average temperatures, while the onset of ripening / harvest was characterized by the previous absence of rain and scorching temperatures.
The interventions in the vineyard were greatly reduced, for the purpose of protecting the plants, tired by the conditions. To ensure the quality of the final product destined for the cellar, a painstaking selection continued until late August. Excellent health of the grapes.
Harvest
The harvest took place continuously between 10 and 20 September. Ancellotta first, Merlot, and then Sangiovese from the Costa Alta to Lazzara located in the lowest and coolest area. The Cabernet Sauvignon was the last to be harvested.
Cellar
All the wines proved to be balanced in the fermentation phase without defects and always constant in their maturation and refinement, each with its particular characteristics.
Sangiovese, precise and balanced in its various parcels (Costa Alta, Costa di Mezzo, Lazzara and Rudere) led the vintage. The selection made since July has power with the addition of great elegance.
Like every vintage, the intensity of the Ancellotta contributed and complemented the Sangiovese in the blending.
The Cabernet Sauvignon of this vintage is the defining element, the leitmotif of 2017 – in balance with the Sangiovese, and even more in harmony with the Merlot. The Merlot has been the most defined in its main characteristics.
All fermentation phases were regular.
The maceration period lasted from 22 to 27 days.
Malolactic fermentation ended for all 4 wines within December.
Passage in concrete for 4/8 months.
Aging in wood for 26/28 months.
Aging in the bottle for at least 18 months.
No clarification and filtration for a microbiologically stable product.