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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
The grapes, of excellent quality, ripened slightly earlier (7/10 days sooner than usual). Harvested in excellent conditions, the grapes are rich in sugars and tannins, thanks to the rain at the begining of the spring season followed by a period of sunshine, and a mild summer with scattered rains which prevented drought and further strain on the plants. The heat during the second half of the month of August favored the sugar concentration. The season was rather difficult; heavy spring rains induced fungal diseases that Marchesi de' Frescobaldi was mostly able to prevent, thanks to its pest control management system. The Merlot ripened early this year, and the grapes harvested had wonderful fruit flavors.
VARIETY:
Merlot 100%
YIELD/HECTARE:
25 hl/ha (1.46 Tons/Acres)
HARVEST PERIOD:
September
VINEYARD PRACTICES:
Manual
FERMENTATION VATS:
Stainless steel
FERMENTATION TEMPERATURE:
Below 30°C (86° Fahrenheit)
LENGTH OF FERMENTATION:
12 days
LENGTH OF MACERATION ON THE SKINS:
4 weeks
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION:
Immediately following the alcoholic fermentation
MATURATION METHOD:
New French Oak barriques
LENGTH OF MATURATION:
24 months
BOTTLE FORMATS:
0,75 lt., 1,5 lt., 3 lt.
PRODUCER'S COMMENTS:
The color is a deep ruby red with purple reflections. The bouquet is complex with fragrances of fleshy fruit such as cherries. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, with well-rationed tannins that blend perfectly with the alcoholic component.
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.
MERITS:
I vini di Veronelli Super Tre stelle - 2000
AIS Duemilavini 5 grappoli - 2000
The Wine Advocate 92 points - 2000
Wine Spectator 92 points - 2000
SOURCE: www.frescobaldi.it
Vuosikerta 2000
The new millennium inspired the pioneers of Italy’s wine revolution to set their sights on new regions. It was interesting to see how Antinori invested so heavily in Apulia, and Gaja in Tuscany's Maremma. In Italy the field has been joined by a large number of new small-scale producers, which have the capital to realise ambitious aims, with the assistance of top consultants.
The first vintage of the new millennium turned out to be a rather good one. Both in Piedmont and Tuscany, 2000 was a crop year of extreme proportions. The weather was very unpredictable, demanding a great deal of work on the plantations. The warm spring resulted in early blooms, which was followed by a fine, balmy period that boded well for a large crop. But July brought with it chilly, rainy weather. A hot and dry August neatly remedied the situation and record temperatures were posted in Piedmont. At the end of August plantations were barraged with hailstorms. The 2000 wines are softer than the 1996s and resemble the more mature vintages of 1997 and 1999. In Tuscany this vintage was a good one throughout the region.