“Volta di Bertinga” Rosso Toscana IGT 2019 · 6 bottles in OWC

Bertinga | Tuscany
Soc. Agr. Bertinga S.r.l. | Loc. Le Terrazze di Adine, 62 | IT 53013 Gaiole

29883019 · 4,5 l · 134,22 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping4 units available

Plot ten is the exception in the Bertinga vineyard: the only one facing north, and the one with the highest clay content. There, a Merlot is grown for Volta di Bertinga at altitude in Gaiole in Chianti, where Sangiovese otherwise reigns supreme. The soil is the same as that of the entire vineyard: Alberese, a calcareous marl that has been in place for around 50 million years, with compact stones, and is shallow to medium in depth. In this north-facing slope, it combines with a low pH level, which is the ideal combination for early-ripening varieties such as this: lively acidity coupled with fully ripe tannins. Harvested by hand, the grapes are taken to the sorting table and fermented in stainless steel. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French barriques, 30% of which are new, followed by at least one and a half years in the bottle before it is released. The year 2019 began cool and dry; growth was slightly behind schedule. The summer remained consistently warm without any extreme temperatures or heavy rain, and in September, warm days and cool nights ensured the grapes ripened fully right up to the very end.

An intense ruby red with violet highlights. The bouquet is enveloping, carried by notes of small, well-ripened red fruits, along with black cherry, blackcurrant, myrtle and chocolate. On the palate, it is intense and silky, full-bodied, with ultra-fine, well-integrated tannins; dynamic, with the fruit's freshness lingering. The finish is long and balsamic. Anyone who considers Merlot to be the most approachable of the reds should pay a visit to the north-facing slopes. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine captivates with its dense, fruity, blueberry-like character, featuring ripe blackberry, plum confit and ethereal, balsamic notes that beautifully convey the character of a high-altitude Merlot. It combines a cool character with fully ripe fruit. Underlying this are Tuscan spice and elegant oak with subtle hints of tobacco and mocha, as well as delicate floral notes of dried violet blossoms. Concentrated and juicy on the palate; despite its velvety richness, it retains a linear structure with freshness and a silky mouthfeel, wonderfully balanced with final juicy, creamy final that will develop further with continued ageing." Wein Wisser

"A deep, luminous purplish-red colour with a lighter rim. A dense, elegant bouquet of blackberry, cranberry and graphite, with a hint of nutmeg. Rich on the palate with full, sweet fruit; mouth-filling and with a long finish." Falstaff

"Dark in colour, but not inky – an exceptionally refined and terroir-driven wine. The nuances of undergrowth, bay leaf and iron typical of Gaiole underpin notes of cherry jam, red roses, milk chocolate and cedar wood. Impressively restrained and lively, with tannins that make your cheeks pucker and underpin the lush layers of sweet fruit typical of the variety. Lively acidity and a hint of balsamic vinegar round off the smooth, iron-tinged finish." Decanter

"Lots of lavender and violets on the nose, together with graphite, lead pencil, iodine and black olives. Full-bodied with extreme class and balance. The ultra-fine tannins are plentiful, yet integrated, and run the length of the wine. A masterpiece." James Suckling