THE 1988 GROWING SEASON
80% Cabernet Sauvignon
16% Merlot
4% Cabernet Franc
The climate for the 1988 vintage was characterised by generally hot, sunny weather until the final phases of berry ripening with some peak temperatures during the month of August. The harvest was carried out entirely by hand, and the grapes were collected in baskets holding no more than 15 Kg. The Merlot was harvested on the 14th of September, and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were harvested starting on the 20th of September.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed, then introduced partly into wooden fermentors and partly into stainless steel tanks. The fermentation and maceration period lasted for 15-20 days. Then the wine was transferred into French oak barriques where it completed its malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak barriques from June 1989 until April 1990 (11 months). 40% of the barriques were of new French oak (mostly from Allier and Nevers) and 60% were once-used. This period was followed by a further 16 months in the bottle before release.
RATINGS
Wine Advocate 93
Wine Spectator 93
Antonio Galloni 92
