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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Monte Olmi is the name of this vineyard, located at Pedemonte di Valpolicella in the heart of Valpolicella Classica. The vineyard has a south-western exposure and is 2.5 hectares in size. It is laid out on terraces in order to ensure efficient draining in case of abundant rainfall. At the same time, the depth and the clay structure of the terrain serve to retain water during dry period.
Strong ruby red. Clear and transparent. Aromas of crushed blackberries, spice and flowers combined with notes of Slavonia oak. Full-bodied, with peppery, berry character, medium tannins and a fine finish. The after-taste confirms the character of the bouquet. This wine has a long-lasting and persistent flavour.
Vuosikerta 1996
Italy Vintage Report by Tb: 1996 was an excellent continuation of the preceding year. Temperatures exceeding 30°C at the beginning of June accelerated and balanced the start of the blooming period. The summer growing season enjoyed ideal conditions, in which the grapes were allowed to ripen slowly and evenly. The autumn rains did not present any mould problems due to the cool temperatures. Nebbiolo grapes were thick-skinned, very concentrated and ripe. The 1996 Barolos and Barbarescos are abundantly fruity, supple and robust wines, whose quality is on a par with the 1990 vintage. In Tuscany Chianti and Montalcino enjoyed extraordinary success. Montepulciano did not do quite as well, but producers in Tuscany considered 1996 to be nearly every bit as good as it was in 1995. Starting with this vintage Angelo Gaja classified his legendary single-vineyard Barbarescos and Barolos as IGTs. Gaja said that the reason for doing this was his desire to differentiate his previous modern single-vintage wines from his family’s pride, the traditional Barbaresco, whose importance he wanted to emphasise as his only DOCG wine. The venerable Chianti producer, Castello di Ama decided that from 1996 on it would focus on the production of Chianti Classico, placing less emphasis on its single-vineyard wines, the Bellavista and La Casuccia.
The wines are still maturing very nicely, even if the Chiantis should, in my opinion, be enjoyed soon due to their sheer deliciousness.