Wine Information
DENOMINATION:
Toscana IGT
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Lamaione is an exceptionally superb Supertuscan produced by the CastelGiocondo tenuta from merlot grown in the 12-hectare Lamaione vineyard, whose vines were planted in 1976 at an elevation of 300 metres.
ESTATE AND VINEYARD LOCATION:
Castel Giocondo, Montalcino
ALTITUDE:
300 meters (984 feet)
VINEYARD SIZE:
12 Ha in the Lamaione vineyard (29 Acres)
EXPOSURE:
South-west
SOIL TYPE:
Clayey terrain rich in limestone and mineral elements. PH lightly alkaline.
PLANTING DENSITY:
5.500 viti/Ha
TRAINING SYSTEM:
Low spur pruned cordon
VINEYARD AVERAGE AGE:
The main vineyard was planted in 1976, and part was recently planted
VINTAGE REPORT
Although the harvest began on September 1, slightly behind schedule compared to recent averages, the fruit came in perfectly sound and healthy, and quality levels were uniformly high, thanks to unremitting attention in the vineyards, over the entire growth period, by the viticultural team. The 2008 spring will be remembered as the rainiest of the last few decades, with temperatures dipping well below average. Rain and wind in June, right during the bloom period, led to less than optimal fruit set; the clusters showed smaller-sized grapes. In July and August, however, generous sunlight and warm
temperatures in Tuscany partially remedied the slow development. The summer months, including September, were sunny and hot, and sufficient reserves of water in the soil helped ensure ideal ripeness levels across all grape varieties, with Sangiovese in the lead. The result of these overall conditions was extremely high-quality grapes that are yielding firmly-structured wines that will be very well-balanced, without any need of technical interventions. Simple, classic vinifications have extracted into the wines velvet-smooth tannins, and these wines, still young, display an appealing vein of good acidity. 2008 will be an outstanding year in particular for Sangiovese: these wines will be rich and intense, with deep colour and sturdy structure, showing generous bouquets with great aromatic range.
VARIETY:
Merlot 100%
YIELD/HECTARE:
25 hl/ha (1464 Tons/Acres)
HARVEST PERIOD:
The first week of september
VINEYARD PRACTICES:
Manual
FERMENTATION VATS:
Inox
FERMENTATION TEMPERATURE:
Maximum 30C° (86° Fahrenheit)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME:
15%
LENGTH OF FERMENTATION:
12 days
LENGTH OF MACERATION ON THE SKINS:
4 weeks
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION:
Immediately after the alcoholic fermentation
MATURATION METHOD:
New French oak barrels 90%, already in circulation 10%
LENGTH OF MATURATION:
24 mounths
BOTTLE FORMATS:
0,75 lt., 1,5 lt., 3 lt.
PRODUCER'S COMMENTS:
Lamaione 2008 is an elegant wine. It offers an intense violet color. Opening with fruity notes like wild blackberry and blueberry, followed by aromas of clove and black pepper and a delicate hint of eucalyptus to finish with aromas of tar, graphite and liquorice. On the palate the decisive entry denotes a body that is powerful and warm at the same time. The tannin texture is dense and silky. Notable intensity of flavour, long persistent finish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Slow-cooked dishes such as pot roasts marinated in the same wine, mushroom-enriched stews, or beef fillet. Enjoy it too with medium-aged cheeses.
Source:
www.frescobaldi.it
