Growing Conditions
***Soil***: The vineyards are planted on plots of land with different and composite morphological characteristics, as well as with a strong presence of limestone. These areas are also rich in rocks and rather rich in clay and are located at an altitude between 100 and 300 meters above sea level, facing South/South-West.
***Vine training***: Cordon spur system
***Planting density***: 6.250 vines/Ha
***Climate***: Until mid May, rainfall and temperatures stayed in the seasonal average, allowing for good water retention of the ground during the summer months. Summer was particularly hot, but being so close to the sea, temperatures never reached the high values of inland Tuscany. The climate was extremely dry and warm until the picking.
Harvest
The maturation of the grapes was ideal, especially for their aromatic and tasting components, combined with a good thickness of the skins, full with scents and tannins. Harvesting began in the last days of August, and lasted for about a month.
Winemaking
The 2003 vintage was fermented in controlled temperature stainless steel vats. The maceration lasted for 17 days for the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14 days for the Sangiovese.
Aging
The wine was aged in American and Franch oak barriques, 1/3 new, for 15 months.
