| Kevin's comments: The nose is light, creamy Chardonnay with undertones of complex fruit, vanilla and a gentle hint of freshness. The buttery flavour of Chardonnay with complementing oak gives this wine texture while retaining a crisp and fresh finish. |
MARCHESI DE? FRESCOBALDI
The Frescobaldi name goes back many centuries into the history of art, culture, trade and finance of Italy in general and Tuscany in particular. From the second half of the last century, the Frescobaldi?s were keen players in the development of Tuscan vine-growing They were the first to plants new varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot and to adopt new planting, cultivation a wine-making systems in their properties. From the second half of the 1950?s and throughout the 1960?s, the company?s growth was impressive.
In 1989 Frescobaldi bought the Castelgiocondo estate in Montalcino, the largest vine-growing farm in the Brunello area. Although the estates have gone many changes over the years, ownership has never changed hands and still, after 30 generations, is in full control of the Frescobaldi family.
One of the major and largest vine growing businesses in Europe, Frescobaldi owns nine estates covering over 1,000 ha of vineyards, all located in excellent areas for fine wines. Directly manager by its family members, Frescobaldi produces almost 7 million bottles and the wines are exported to over 60 countries throughout the world.
Castello di Pomino Estate, 40km north-east of Florence, on the slopes of the Apennine mountains, stretches over 1,458 hectares of land, 94 of which are cultivated with vineyards. Pomino is a unique environmental and production site in Tuscany and best represents the Frescobaldi?s innovative spirit. The Pomino mountain area features cool, dry, windy weather, with noticeable temperature changes between day and night and from season to season, with short vegetative cycles.
The Pomino DOC is one of the smallest in Italy and the only one in Tuscany to make prominent use of international varieties; Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco make up the blend of Pomino Bianco and the Pomino Rosso is made from Sangiovese and Pinot Noir. The Pomino Benefizio is fermented and matured in French barriques.
POMINO BENEFIZIO DOC
Grapes: Mostly Chardonnay with a small proportion of Pinot Bianco and Grigio grapes from the 9 hectare Benefizio vineyard situated at 680M above sea level..
Exposure: South-west facing Soil: Sandy, clay, of good depth and marginally high acidity.
Pruning: Guyot Age of Vines: 14 years Density: Part 2,800 and part 5,000 vines/Ha
Winemaking: The grapes were hand harvested and the end of September and softly pressed in pneumatic horizontal presses. Fermentation took place in new French oak barriques at 25C and lasted 30 days with ?batonnage?. The wine underwent partial maceration at 5C for 12 hours and partial malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 12 months in the same oak barriques followed by a further 64months ageing in bottle prior to release.
Colour: Pale gold with shimmering highlights.
Serve: Chilled as an aperitif or with all seafood dishes and white meats
Taste: The nose is light, creamy Chardonnay with undertones of complex fruit, vanilla and a gentle hint of freshness. The buttery flavour of Chardonnay with complementing oak gives the wine texture while retaining a crisp and fresh finish.
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