Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG “Ripe al Convento di Castelgiocondo” 2016 – Frescobaldi

The grapes to produce Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Ripe al Convento di Castelgiocondo” Frescobaldi were hand harvested with cluster selection and pressed using a soft horizontal press. Fermentation took place in stainless steel at 30°C and lasted 10 days, with maceration lasting 33 days. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Ripe al Convento di Castelgiocondo” Frescobaldi then underwent malolactic fermentation. It was matured for five years prior to its release – by law a minimum of two years in oak and six months in bottle. Slavonian oak casks and French oak barrels were used for the maturation of the wine.

The grapes come from an eight hectare single vineyard called “Ripe al Convento”, situated at the highest point of the Tenuta CastelGiocondo estate. The vines have an average age of 25 years and are grown at 350 to 450 metres above sea-level. They are planted at a density of 5,500 vines per hectare with a southerly exposure and are low-trained on a spurred cordon system. There are two types of soil on the estate; the first is rich in sand with a high presence of calcium, while the second is calcareous, rich in both clay and calcium with a more alkaline pH.