Pinot Noir della Sala 2023
Classification
UmbriaIGT
Vintage
2023
Climate
The 2023 vintage was marked by a mild winter with little rainfall,
followed by an unusually rainy spring,
which helped replenish the soil's water reserves,
while slowing bud break and subsequent
vegetative development. Flowering occurred toward the end of
May, followed by fruit set about a week later,
an average delay of 7 days compared to the seasonal norm.
From the second half of July until August, the
generally warm climate, accompanied by excellent temperature ranges
between day and night, favored a slow, complete, and balanced ripening. The harvest period,
characterized by favorable weather conditions,
allowed for a careful and methodical selection of the
best bunches, aimed at bringing out the maximum expression of Pinot
Noir. The harvest began in the first week of
September, with grapes that presented great
freshness and an aromatic profile of excellent quality.
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Vinification
After destemming and a gentle pressing, the grapes were transferred to small, conical stainless steel tanks,
where cold maceration for about three days was followed by alcoholic fermentation, which lasted about a week.
This fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 26°C and ended in 228-liter containers, where the wine
completed malolactic fermentation and continued to age for several months. The Pinot Noir della Sala
has been aged for a period in the bottle in the castle's historic cellars before being released to the market.
Historical Data
The 4 hectares of vineyards from which the Pinot Noir del Castello della Sala is produced are located at over 400 meters above sea level on
fossil-rich limestone soils with sedimentary sands dating back to the Pliocene. This wine was
produced for the first time with the 1990 vintage. Castello della Sala is a fortress dating back to the 14th century, located
about 18 km from Orvieto, which was purchased by the Antinori family in 1940.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 Pinot Noir della Sala presents a brilliant and luminous garnet red color. The nose expresses a
large and complex bouquet where floral notes of violet and dried rose blend with fruity aromas of crisp cherry
and raspberry, enhanced by delicate citrus notes of blood orange. The spicy sensations are fine and
well-integrated, with nuances of pink pepper, coriander, and cloves, accompanied by light balsamic
and medicinal herb accents. On the palate, it is intense, dynamic, enveloping, and characterized by a juicy entry, supported by
a good freshness; the tannins are refined, silky, and perfectly ripe. A Pinot Noir with a
balanced structure, already enjoyable immediately, but capable of expressing its full potential with a few
years of bottle aging.