Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2003
Region: Chianti
Winery: Castello di Gabbiano
Variety: Blend (Red)

The 2003 Chianti Classico is a full, ruby red color in the glass, while delicate floral aromas of violets and soft scents of fruity blackberry mark the nose. The dry, medium-bodied palate is filled with robust tannins and flavors of black pepper, sweet spices, and a touch of light, toasted oak. The finish is long and dry.
Part of the fruit for the 2003 Chianti Classico was sourced the oldest and best estate vines of the Castello vineyard, located at approximately 750 feet above sea level. Due to its high altitude and soil combinations of limestone, marly sandstone and clay, this historic vineyard produces intense and concentrated fruit. The rest of the fruit was sourced from select hillside vineyards in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, with average altitudes of 500-700 feet and similar soil compositions as the Castello vineyard.The juice was macerated on the skins in stainless-steel tanks for 10-15 days at controlled temperatures of 25-28°C (about 77-82°F). To extract color and flavor and enhance texture, the wine was left on the lees for 12-13 days. One hundred percent malolactic fermentation occurred for approximately 18-21 days. The wine was matured for 6 months before bottling - 70% in French oak and 30% in Slovenian oak.

Posted by thewinery on December 1st, 2007 at 9:51am | report comment