Il Castagno Syrah Cortona DOC 2019 magnum - Fabrizio Dionisio

The grapes are destemmed leaving the berries intact and the alcoholic fermentation takes place spontaneously, thanks to the indigenous yeasts, in steel tanks (with emergency temperature control). According to the characteristics of the vintage and the quality of the grapes of each single parcel of vineyard (all of which we vinify, separately and according to different and personalized times and methods), a small, variable percentage of grapes can be processed as a whole bunch, then with the stalks. The subsequent maceration on the skins lasts, on average, about three to four weeks, always based on the quality of the grapes. Malolactic fermentation involves only the flower must (the wine obtained from pressing the marc is never used for the production of our wines ) and this also occurs spontaneously, without inoculation of bacteria. This is followed by a period (at least 18 months) of aging on the noble lees in wooden barrels (French, Allier, Nevers and Troncais, and Slavonian oak) of different sizes (barriques and 15 hl barrels) made for us by friendly master coopers and, in part, in the old cement barrels that have always belonged to our cellar and have been perfectly refurbished through the work of skilled craftsmen. For me, the Castagno represents the "classic" interpretation (albeit still within the company philosophy devoted to continuous exploration, experimentation and evolution) and, I would like to say, exemplary, essential and irreplaceable of my Syrah. All our other red wines are beloved and exciting variations on a theme, intriguing experiments, exciting toys, but it is he who dictates the line and forms the backbone of our production. It is he who tells us what the vintage is like, what it can give us and what we can do in that vintage. It represents my ideal conception of Syrah in Cortona. It aims to be a powerful wine, but at the same time harmonious and balanced, characterized by a remarkable structure but focused on elegance and finesse.