Castagneto Carducci view from Merlot vineyard

Ripen and healthy Merlot grapes

A perfect weather, great view and few rows of nice, ripen, delicious and healthy Merlot.

All the grapes collected in buckets, moved on a tractor to leave the vineyard toward the cellar.

The way of the grapes go through to become must!

A bit of “salamoia” before moving the most in its fermentation vats. ( Salamonia indicate the process of moving apart a 5/10 % of the most from the crunched grapes. After few analysis to evaluate the “concentration” of the must in the following days, the removed must is either, partly put back or just sold as must (for sweets, for people that likes to do cooked wine, etc)

And finally after all that work (!) a tasting of a very nice juice from white grapes (Vermentino and Sauvignon, vinified together this year) .   What a great tropical nose it has!

At the end a short interview with Enrico about the harvest

Translation of the main topics Enrico is talking about.

 
Q: Enrico, where are we with the harvest ?
A: Well, we are at a good point because the season is on our side!
After a long and dry season (June, July and August with no rain) we recently had a nice rain that prolonged the maturation period.
I am at the point of having harvested the Merlot, finished on 14 Sept, and it is bit late because usually we harvest it at the beginning of September. We finished as well last week with the whites, Sauvignon and Vermentino.
So I am very satisfied. Even if we ear general complains from other producers, my grapes are fresh, healthy, well ripen and absolutely not cooked. Moreover the produced quantity is good as it is at the level of 2011 production, maybe a bit more.

 
Q: We have been in the vineyard and apart from the very nice and healthy grapes we noticed also a very good quantities of grapes on the vines. It does not seems like the general situation that talks about a 10% less in production in respect to the 2011.
A: Absolutely true and this is because of the great daily work done in the vineyard that allows me to have a vineyard with a great equilibrium even during difficult and warm vintages like this one.

Earlier this week we were delighted to welcome Enrico Santini from Bolgheri to London for two lunches and a dinner. I hope you enjoy the interview.

The 2000 and 2001 I refer to were both great but in very different ways. The 2000 fresh, red fruited and juicy, amazing for a very first wine, lovely now. The 2001 is a more savoury, gamey and ultimately serious wine with a good structure still showing. If this is how the two first vintages have come along then the estate is even more “one to follow”.

Find out more about Enrico Santini and available wines here.

Thursday, 17 May 2012
London , UK

Back in 1995 Enrico Santini decided to leave his career in retail and pursue his dream to grow and make wine.
Having always lived in Bolgheri it was logical to set up there.
After 3 years working with another producer he planted his own vines on his own land in 1998.
The vineyards for red are planted roughly as 40% Cabernet, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 9% Syrah and a tiny 1% Petit Verdot.

There are three wines:

Campo alla Casa – Fresh white, lovely young but even better with 12-18months (60% Vermentino & 40% Sauvignon Blanc). This is the field “campo” of the house “casa”, i.e. from land around the house.

Poggio al Moro – Main (in volume) red from the above varieties.

Montepergoli - The flagship, not always made.

I was lucky enough to host a Lunch with Enrico (yes at Zucca!!).

We tasted/drank:
Campo alla Casa 2010 - Fresh with a lovely textured edge coming in, richness arrived as the wine warmed up in glass, lemon and lime but with a waxy texture…nice.

Poggio al Moro 2009 – I have this wine quite often, it is luscious, rich but with black fruit freshness, very approachable due to the ripeness, a seriously enjoyable glass of wine, a drinker at home, often.
Montepergoli 2006 – Along with the above the last of the current releases, this is rich and dark but with an inviting structure, best in 3-4 years but enjoyable decanted now.

Montepergoli 2000 – Fresh, red fruited and juicy, amazing for a very first wine, lovely now.

Montepergoli 2001 – The 2001 is a more savoury, gamey and ultimately serious wine with a good structure still showing. If this (and the 2000) is how the two first vintages have come along then the estate is on the right track.

Enrico is not after world acclaim or even critical acclaim he just wants a good price for his very good wines and to be able to leave a lasting legacy for his family, two boys and two girls!!
I certainly enjoy helping put by buying and selling these wines.