Growing Conditions
A fairly rainy spring season, more so during May and June. Even temperatures up to mid September -no peaks above the average registered - gave way to a ripening of slightly late beginnings, though steadily protracted.
Rather warm weather was experienced thereafter, with steep temperature excursions favouring a fast rounding up of the fruit.
The climate pattern was similar to that of year 2016, to the point that harvesting was carried out at the same time in both cases. The resulting wine proves nicely fresh and concentrated. Thinning out effected in two turns; approximately 40% of the initial spontaneous fruit load was discarded in total.
Harvest
Harvest: 21st and 22nd September 2018 - 3 rd and 4th October 2018
Yield per plant: 1 Kg
Bottling
Bottled: 9 th February 2021
Production: n. 5.994 bottles of 750 ml, n.315 Magnum of 1500 ml , n.33 Double Magnum of 3000 ml
Winemaking
La Ricolma is made from 100% Merlot grapes especially seclected from prime vineyards and hand-picked when perfectly mature. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks for about 18 days, then racked and pressed. After it is racked once again, the wine is left to mature for 20-22 months in French oak barriques. It is bottled and held for further months before being released.
Length of fermentation and maceration on the skins : 15 days
Aging
Wood-ageing: 22 months in french barriques (Allier, Nevers) of 225 liters
Appearance
As this wine has been only lightly filtered. Some sediments may appear in the bottle.
