SOIL STYLE

The soils on which the vineyards stand has varied and complex terrain features with a strong presence of limestone, feature areas rich in marl and pebbles as well as being partly clayey. The production facilities are located at an average altitude of between 80 and 400 metres above sea level, with a west/south-west exposure.

WEATHER TRENDS

The climatic trend of the 2002 vintage was somewhat erratic; during spring the weather remained within the seasonal norm, while in June and July the rainfall was above the seasonal average. From the beginning of September and throughout the harvest, the weather returned to sunny skies, thus allowing the grapes to ripen fully.

HARVESTING

Thanks to the excellent ventilation and luminosity of the coastal area of Bolgheri, the grapes at harvest were healthy and had good consistency. Thus the harvest that began on 9 September 2002 was satisfying and took place with almost no interruptions.

FERMENTATION

Fermentation occurred in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of around 30° - 31°C. About two weeks of maceration on the skins, with several repassing’s and délestages. Malolactic fermentation was in steel vats.

AGEING

The wine was matured in French oak barriques for 24 months, followed by a period of ageing in glass before release.