GRATTAMACCO
THE WINE IS PRODUCED FROM VINEYARDS LOCATED BETWEEN 100 AND 200 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE SOIL IS CHARACTERIZED BY SANDY QUARTZ AND WHITE CLAYS MIXED WITH MARLY LIMESTONE FLYSCH. WINEGROWING PRACTICES ARE BASED ON METHODS AND PRINCIPLES THAT ARE TOTALLY RESPECTFUL OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THUS ALLOWING FOR SPONTANEOUS PRODUCTIVE BALANCE WITH LOW YIELDS PER HECTARE. GRAPES ARE HAND-PICKED AND CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM VINEYARDS WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 25 YEARS, AMONG THE OLDEST IN THE APPELLATION.
Vinification takes place in small open oak vats, with delicate manual punching-down and a slow release of only noble tannins. The wine ages for at least 18 months in barriques. The saline terroir and the artisanal approach in the cellar are foundational elements of the distinctive character of Grattamacco Rosso, which is enhanced by the presence of Sangiovese in the blend, in accordance with Tuscan tradition.
Vintage 1995
THIS VINTAGE DEBUTS GRATTAMACCO’S TRUE MATURITY PERIOD, SOLIDIFYING THE MARRIAGE OF CLASSIC GRAPE VARIETIES THAT SHAPES ITS AUTHENTIC CHARACTER.
The Climate
A late budbreak started the 1995 growing season, which impacted flowering as well. Unseasonably chilly weather ushered in summer, but that was abruptly followed by very high temperatures, lasting through early August. The remainder of the summer experienced intermittent rains and cooler, mild days, which held through all of September. These welcome conditions encouraged good phenolic development.
Vinification
A wine produced from a vineyard of 10 hectares at 100 m asl, where the soil is characterized by calcareous sandstone, marl and calcareous flysch mixed to clay and calcareous clay, while the climate is of a temperate Mediterranean type. There are 4500 to 6000 vines per hectare with a yield of about 7 tons of grapes per hectare. Vines are trained to Cordone Speronato and Guyot. Harvesting is done manually. The average age of the vines is 10 years. Vinification in open truncated cone-shaped oak vats for the alcoholic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation in barrique. Ages for 18 months in barrique, in first and second passage. Bottle refinement 12 months minimum.
Luca Marrone, Chief Winemaker
Composition
65% Cabernet Sauvignon
20% Merlot
15% Sangiovese
Appearance
Brillant ruby red
Alcohol
12,5%
