Cinquecento Sangiovese 2024

Story

'Five Hundred'. Named in reference to the magnificent five-hundred-metre-long rows from which this sangiovese is picked.

Tasting Note

Eminently savoury with amazing fruit depth enveloped by fine slate to graphite tannins, the 2024 Cinquecento Sangiovese builds mid palate flesh upon this framework with blackberry, raspberry, red plum, dried strawberry and tart cherry as lively, zesty mineral acidity threads a line through the palate. Savoury elements abound with black olive and thyme, dried porcini and sage, red peppercorn, toasted cumin and carraway seed. Earthen terracotta tones add complexity while the acid and tannin interplay dances together, driving impeccable palate length.

Winemaking

Picked in two sections and processed separately, the latter identified as showing greater tannin structure and savoury intensity. Crushed, destemmed and fermented in two tonne open fermenters at temperatures between 20 and 24 deg C, with twice daily pump overs. Additional hand plunging was implemented on both parcels, the latter receiving 3 times more plunging and a longer maceration period to heighten that potential structure. Natural malolactic fermentation and 15 months maturation were carried out in a combined 95% French and 5% American seasoned oak Hogs Head barrels before the parcels were blended, filtered and bottled. No finings were used.

Vineyard

Lopresti Lot 11 Vineyard - Flour Mill Road, Whites Valley, McLaren Vale. 

Characterised by black Biscay clay with distinct limestone deposits throughout, atop Ngaltinga Formation. The Biscay clay promotes strong growth in spring but dries out and cracks in summer, releasing excess moisture and pulling back vine vigour approaching veraison to produce powerfully concentrated fruit, whilst the limestone element imposes finesse and a balanced acidity. The coastal location allows sea breezes to mediate daytime heat during the critical ripening period.

READ PRESS REVIEWS