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Uutiset
93 points Vinous
The 2015 Sauvignon Zitelle is a terrific introduction to the Miani house style. The Zitelle possesses lovely varietal aromatics and layers of intense fruit, but with a bit less overall intensity in all of its components than some of the bigger whites in this range. The more medium-bodied style makes for a Miani white that can be enjoyed pretty much upon release, whereas some of the other 2015 whites need time in bottle to be at their best. (AG) (3/2017)
Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Reclusive winemaker Enzo Pontoni in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region is truly one of the greatest in Italy. Unfortunately, his fiercely uncompromising approach to quality in the vineyards and cellars ensures that there is never enough wine to go around, but we have secured excellent allocations of a wide range of his wines this year. In order to give as many people as possible a chance to experience these beautiful creations we decided to host an unprecedented tasting in the Chiswick store showcasing a wide range of Enzo’s wines. Bruno Besa, an expert on Enzo’s wines who has been working with him for almost 20 years joined us for this tasting. Despite having visited Enzo in his winery almost every year for the last 20 years, Bruno remarked that he had never tasted so many Miani wines from bottle at once. We were lucky to have Bruno on hand to share an unparalleled level of insight into what makes these wines so special.
The Miani wines are becoming more sought after every year, and it is very unlikely that the opportunity to put on this tasting will ever arise again.
Sauvignon Sauvignon Zitelle – these two expressions of Sauvignon Blanc are from a single vineyard (‘Le Zitelle’ means spinsters in English) that Enzo acquired in 2006 and completely replanted – his grandfather had made some of the original plantings here many years ago so this site has a special place in Enzo’s heart. The vines are just becoming old enough to produce wines that live up to Enzo’s high standards and these are the first releases of Sauvignon Blanc from here. The Cava Sauvignon is from a section of very poor soils that give an extra-concentrated wine show very dense, exotic flavours and deep minerality. The Alto is more aromatic and expressive at the moment with great purity.
Wine Information
There are a few modifications to the lineup of 2015 whites being released this year. To start, readers will find two new Sauvignons from Le Zitelle, including a selection called Cava that emerges from a parcel with very poor, stressed soils. Pontoni did not bottle his Friulano Buri, as the wine did not meet his exacting standards. Similarly, Pontoni was not happy with the Sauvignon Banel, so that wine went into the straight Sauvignon bottling that also includes younger-vine fruit from Le Zitelle. The Chardonnay Baracca is yet to be bottled and will be released next year. Pontoni made both of his Merlots in 2013. As mentioned above, there will be no more Refosco Calvari, but Pontoni has two new Refosco parcels, one in Buttrio, the other in Rosazzo, that will inform new wines in future vintages. Investments in vineyard land continue. Pontoni now also owns the Merlot parcel in Manzano that informs his Merlot Filip. Total production for all wines being released this year is 20,000 bottles, an all-time record for this tiny estate. When all the new vineyards are online, production might reach 25-28,000 bottles maximum, a drop in the bucket by standards pretty much anywhere else in the world.
Vuosikerta 2015
BAROLO 2015
2015 vintage climate trend: 2015 began with a winter characterized by abundant snowfalls which allowed an excellent water supply to the land.
This factor combined with a spring with mild temperatures since the month of February allowed for an anticipation of the vegetative cycle which was then maintained in the continuation of the vintage.
The season continued with a succession of rainfall between the end of May and the first ten days of June. From June to July the rains were absent and temperatures stabilized at above average maximum values but without water stress. The climatic conditions recorded at the beginning of summer laid the foundations for an advance in the ripening of the grapes of about ten days compared to the previous year but in line with a vintage that we can define as ‘normal’.
Wines Barolo 2015 vintage: Nebbiolo ripened perfectly, albeit slightly earlier than the average of recent years, with an excellent accumulation of polyphenols. The sugar content stands at average potential values of around 14 – 14.5% vol while the acidity is ideal for Nebbiolo (6.5 g / l).
The Barolo wines of the 2015 vintage are important, elegant and long-lived, there are all the prerequisites for a great vintage, to be remembered, like few others in history. Fully among the best vintages of Barolo.
BARBARESCO 2015
A cold and snowy winter welcomed a warm and dry spring. which allowed an even budding. Summer saw warm days with some rainfall followed by a very dry end of the season. The beginning of fall was dry and cool creating optimal conditions for the phenolic ripening for the Nebbiolo grapes. The warm and dry weather during harvest ensured the grapes were evenly ripe and perfectly healthy.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2015
Climate trend: The winter was sparsely rainy and with low temperatures in January / February. Spring precipitation in the seasonal average allowed to create water reserves to overcome the hot months of July / August. The month of September was mild, with good temperature variations between day and night, favoring the perfect ripening of the grapes.
Brunello di Montalcino wines of the 2015 vintage: Deep wines endowed with great extract, lively and intense colors and vigorous tannins of good maturity. Important alcoholic components, in rare cases also in evidence. Crisp, intense and penetrating fruity aromas. An exceptional vintage of Brunello di Montalcino: great character and excellent evolutionary potential, deservedly among the best vintages of Brunello di Montalcino.