Tancredi 2017<br />DENOMINATION: Red - Terre Siciliane IGT.<br />GRAPES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola; the blend is completed with Tannat and other grapes.<br />PRODUCTION AREA: South-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina estate and surrounding areas.<br />SOILS AND CLIMATE: Altitude from 200 to 400 m above sea level; hilly terrain; clay loam soils with sub-alkaline reaction (pH from 7.5 to 7.9), rich in nutrients (potassium,<br />magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%. Mild winters; dry, windy summers with large temperature differences between day and<br />night.<br />VINEYARD: counter-espalier training with spurred cordon pruning, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Plant density from 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare with yields of about<br />50-60 quintals/ha.<br />YEAR: Contessa Entellina recorded 555 mm of rain in 2017, which is slightly below the average* (661 mm) for this area. The rainfall was concentrated mainly in the autumn<br />and winter and therefore, in June and July, relief irrigation was carried out; the vines were thus able to complete their vegetative-productive cycle in a regular manner.<br />Temperatures, particularly between July and August, were higher than the seasonal averages, which led to an advance of 1-2 weeks in the ripening periods of all the varieties<br />grown. During this period of the summer, the good temperature fluctuations between day and night gave healthy grapes with excellent aromatic and phenolic ripening. In<br />addition, there was a drop in quantity of around 15% compared to the company average. Thanks to careful management of agronomic practices and vinification, the quality of<br />the vintage is certainly positive: ideal phenolic ripening gave fine and elegant reds. * The rainfall figures are calculated from 1 October to 30 September of the following year;<br />** The average is calculated from the 2003 harvest)<br />HARVEST: Manual harvesting in boxes with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. Harvesting of the grapes destined for Tancredi began in the last ten days of<br />August with the Nero d'Avola followed by the harvesting of the Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon in the first ten days of September.<br />WINE-MAKING: On receipt at the winery, the bunches are selected on the vibrating table and then the grapes are destemmed using a latest-generation destemming<br />machine that rejects green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28°-30° C.<br />Maturation for 13-14 months in French oak barriques (new and second passage) and at least 14 months in bottle.<br />ANALYTICAL DATA: alcohol 13,66 % vol., total acidity: 5,5 g/l., pH: 3,65<br />TASTING NOTES (12/02/2020): With an intense ruby red colour, Tancredi 2017 combines notes of ripe red fruit (currant and plum) and balsamic (eucalyptus) with delicate<br />hints of cocoa and sweet tobacco. On the palate it has an excellent structure with important and perfectly integrated tannins; a fresh drink with a very long retro-olfactory<br />persistence.<br />LONGEVITY: over 20 years.<br />FOOD & WINE: With steak, signature burgers and game; also excellent on fillet of beef with mushrooms. Can be uncorked at the moment if served in large glasses with a<br />wide mouth and good height. Excellent at 18°C.<br />WHEN YOU WISH: To live a refined sensory experience. Share your passion for elegant, long-lived wines. To live a moment of true beauty.<br />DIALOGUE WITH ART: Do you remember the Tancredi played by Alain Delon in the famous film that Visconti made from 'The Leopard' by Giuseppe Tomasi di<br />Lampedusa? This wine represents his elegance and 'revolutionary' ambition. The label features an illustration by artist Stefano Vitale who dedicated the work to Giacomo<br />Rallo, visionary captain of Donnafugata. Contessa's winery is there, in the clouds as if it were a mirage. Above right, the beloved village of Sambuca di Sicilia where some of<br />the vineyards that contribute to the Tancredi blend are located. They are all there, the places where the memory of the man and his dreams come true remains indelible.<br />FIRST VINTAGE: 1990.<br />
Price
€33.60
