Cà dei Frati Sangiovese Blend Benaco Bresciano IGT Ronchedone 2008

Winemaker's Notes:

The Dal Cero family has transformed their Ca’ dei Frati property into the modern model of an Italian estate over the past decade. In 1987, they had 12 hectares of vineyard; today, they have 50. This increase in quantity has been matched by an increase in quality, and today they remain the best producers in Lugana. During the past decade, the Dal Cero family has worked tirelessly to position themselves as one Italy’s best producers of white wine. The secret to their success is simple: outstanding vineyards. Most producers in the zone overcrop and train the vines high. At Ca’ dei Frati, the vines are trained low, newer vineyards have a higher density of planting, and yields are well below the average for the zone. The grapes are grown in their own vineyards, which are located on the south banks of Lake Garda near the town of Sirmione. The vines from which ‘Ronchedone’ is made are planted on chalky-clay soils, using single Guyot and cordon training. The grapes are harvested when fully ripe, into mid-October. The quality of the fruit is accentuated in the modern winery, where Igino Dal Cero is not afraid to lose simple, primary perfumes if he gains weight, texture and complexity on the palate by allowing some of the vats to go through malolactic fermentation. This red blend has good depth of colour and perfumes of spicy red fruits on the nose. On the palate it has excellent concentration of spicy, jammy fruit with rounded, soft tannins and good acidity. Good structure supporting the ripe fruit character gives it a nice balance and attractive weight.