The 2018-2019 vintage followed yet another seasonal trend of its own. The autumn featured mild temperatures and slightly less rain than usual in that period of the year. Winter started off quite mild however January came with temperatures below zero and heavy snowfall at the end of that month. Spring began with rising temperatures, but in May these plummeted with lows below 7-8°C accompanied by daily rains. From early June, a fairly dry and warm period began, with maximum temperatures often above 35°C, but interspersed occasionally by short and intense rains.

At a controlled temperature of 24°C-27°C, with 14-18 days of skin contact.

21 months in tonneaux and barriques of which 30% are new oak and the remaining 70% are of second and third passage.

Casalferro 2019 is a selection of Merlot grapes coming from three different vineyards: Vigna Casalferro, Vigna Pecchierino, and Vigna Sodacci.

Vigna Casalferro
Surface area: 5 ha | Planted in: 1993 | Altitude: 400 m.a.s.l.
Exposure: South | Soil: Arenarie (sand and rocks), Alberese (limestone).

Vigna Pecchierino
Surface: 3,25 ha | Planted in: 2001|Altitude 400 m.a.s.l.
Exposure: Northwest | Soil: Alberese (limestone.)

Vigna Sodacci
Surface: 4,22 ha | Planted in: 2003 | Altitude: 500 m.a.s.l.
Exposure: South | Soil: Arenarie (sand and rocks).

The training system for the three vineyards is spurred cordon. The rootstock is 181. The average planting density is 5.500 - 6.600 plants/ha.

Varietals: 100% Merlot
Alcohol by Vol: 14.5%
Total acidity: 5.92 g/l
pH: 3.28

Overall, we can state that 2018 was a complex harvest due to the climate trends, which tended to be more humid than average in the past, but with excellent summer temperatures and a very dry period in the months of September and October.

Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 75°F-80.6°F, with 14-18 days of skin contact. 21 months in tonneaux and barriques of which 30% are new oak and the remaining 70% are of second and third passage.

Casalferro 2018 is a selection of Merlot grapes coming from three different vineyards: Vigna Casalferro, Vigna Pecchierino, and Vigna Sodacci. The training system for the three vineyards is spurred cordon.

100% Merlot
Alcohol by Vol: 14.5%
Total acidity: 5.65 g/l
pH: 3.40

The growing season of 2014/2015 was quite regular without extreme events. Winter was mild with temperatures falling to freezing only at the end of December and for parts January and February. Although a little cold at the beginning, Spring also showed average temperatures followed by a warm May and June which favored a perfect flowering and veraison. Rainfall was not excessive at only about 6 inches. Summer began earlier, with high temperatures by the end of June recorded at peaks between 93°F and 95°F. July was also particularly warm with peaks at around 104°F. Rainfall was scarce at approximately 4 inches, but ample water supplies during the Winter and Spring months prevented drought stress. September and October showed perfect weather conditions with significant day-to-night temperature ranges favoring the accumulation of color and polyphenols in the grapes.

Aged 21 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux followed by 3 to 6 months in bottle.

100% Merlot

The 2012 autumn and the 2012-2013 winters were among the rainiest of the last few years. The real spring began on April 10th when it stopped raining and there was a sudden change in temperature with extremely high average day temperatures. Summer had begun with wet soils but the high temperatures and the sunshine accounted for homogeneous bunches. The year was shaped in September: summerlike temperatures during the day falling at night (with a 15°C difference between night and day) that allowed a perfect technological and polyphenolic ripeness. To sum up, a quality harvest with healthy, perfectly ripe grapes. Merlot this year is fresh and of a deep ruby-violet color.

Aged 18 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux followed by 3 to 6 months in bottle.

100% Merlot

Rainfall and temperatures over the winter were average. Spring was mild and rainy in the early part of the season, while there was no rainfall from late April through May. The rain between June and July helped to ensure a good water reserve and allowed the vines to develop even earlier than usual. A very hot, dry August, helped by cool September nights, completed the ripening of the grapes.

Aged 18-21 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux followed by 3 to 6 months in bottle.

100% Merlot