1998 Antinori Badia a Passignano Riserva

The end of Winter and the beginning of Spring were mild and very dry, which favoured early budding of the vines and accelerated the vegetative cycle - until the stabilising effect of some rainfall in May. Flowering took place in the same average period as other vintages. June was very hot and this accelerated the growth of the grapes and of the vegetative cycle by about 10-12 days. The Summer months were very hot and sunny with temperatures well above average - particularly in July with long periods without any rainfall. This meant that the growth rate of the vines slowed down slightly and, on average, the grapes ripened about a week earlier than in average vintages. In all the estates a careful thinning of the red variety grapes was carried out during the month of August, in order to ensure that the remaining grapes would ripen in the best conditions.

This Riserva was produced from bunch-selected grapes from the estate of Badia a Passignano, harvested between mid September and the beginning of October. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated partly in 50 hectoliter wooden open fermentors (with periodic cap submersion for better extraction of color, complexity and tannins), and partly in stainless steel tanks for about 15 days. During this time the alcoholic fermentation was also completed; most of the the wine was then transferred into new, one-year-old and two-year old 225 liter French oak barrels (Alliers and Troncais). Malolactic fermentation was completed by the year’s end. The wines were then racked, and after careful blending of the different vineyard lots to produce the master blend, the majority of the wine was returned to the barriques (and a small part in barrels of 500-700 liter capacity) for about 14 months of ageing , followed by bottling and a further period of at least 12 months in the bottle before release.

Tasting Note: Traditional in its complexity, roundness, and elegance, yet modern in its intense fruitiness, accessibility and soft tannins. Deep dark cherry color, with concentrated cherry and chocolate flavours.
Alc/Vol: 13.5%