Poggio al Tesoro, `Cassiopea` Bolgheri Rosato
Vintage: 2023
Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | TE205B23 | 6 x 75 | Agglomerated Cork | Available |
Producer
Poggio al Tesoro is a 70-hectare Bolgheri estate acquired in 2002 by the Allegrini family. The first vineyard they bought, ‘Le Sondraie’, is next door to Ornellaia and was previously rented by them. It comprises 50 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Vermentino. All of the Poggio al Tesoro vineyards are located in “soprastrada”, the area east of the Bolgherese road considered the best vineyard site in Bolgheri. The soils here are complex and varied thanks to the mineral composition created by the Seggio stream from the nearby hillsides. A careful soil mapping has also allowed Allegrini to match each plot to the grape variety best suited to its unique growing conditions. This attention to detail continues today with a sustainable and organic approach in the vineyard and winery, where different vessels and techniques are utilised to optimise the potential of each variety and plot. Every year the quality of these exceptional wines continues to improve, reflecting the unique characteristics of the Bolgheri territory.
The ‘Solosole’ Vermentino is crisp and fresh, made from a specially selected Vermentino clone from Corsica. The ‘Pagus Camilla’ is a step up, made from Vermentino sourced from a prime vineyard planted on deep sandy soils by the river Camilla. It is aged on its lees with regular bâtonnage for nine months, creating aromas of Mediterranean herbs and citrus with a marked minerality on the finish. The ‘Sondraia Bianco’ is a small production of 100% Viognier, sourced from the ‘Le Sondraie’ vineyard. Partially fermenting in stainless steel, amphora and barrique results in a wine defined by a characterful bouquet rich in floral and fruity aromas, orange peel and typical Mediterranean scrub. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot-based ‘Cassiopea’ Rosato is a deliciously fruity rosé, softly pressed and fermented in stainless steel.
The ‘Mediterra’, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is a fragrant and intensely fruity red wine. ‘Il Seggio’ is the name of the creek that runs through Bolgheri. The wine that bears its name is a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend aged in 225 litre barriques for 15 months. It is structured, concentrated and fresh. The ‘Sondraia’, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc has a pure cassis note on the nose that gives way to a lovely depth of fruit on the palate. ‘W Dedicato a Walter’ is their pure Cabernet Franc, first produced in 2003. It is lifted yet ripe, intense yet balanced.
Vineyards
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the 5-hectare, west-facing Le Sondraie vineyard, situated 25 metres above sea level. Soils here are deep and free draining, consisting of a mixture of clay and sandy silt with a high presence of magnesium and iron. Planting density is almost 8000 vines per hectare and the 14-year-old vines are trained using the Guyot system and spur pruned. Yields average around 63 hectolitres per hectare.
Vintage
The 2023 vintage was complex but fascinating. The vines followed a regular, if not excellent, trend in the vineyards. There was a return to the harvest rhythms of the past, without the need to accelerate the ripening process due to high temperatures. The first months of the year were milder than usual, but the spring saw many rain episodes. The summer started properly only at the end of June, characterised by very hot days that lasted well into the second week of August when the rain came back, allowing for the perfect ripeness of the grapes which arrived at the winery showing a fantastic flavour concentration and moderate sugar levels, the perfect combination for an elegant and powerful wine.
Vinification
Whole bunches were gently pressed and fermented in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 14ºC to 16ºC, for around 20 to 25 days. No malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place, and the wine remained in stainless-steel tanks on the fine lees until bottling, to add texture and complexity. The wine was then aged for a further month in bottle prior to release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Cassiopea is salmon-pink in colour with a fresh, lively perfume of fragrant spices and woodland berries. Its distinctive aroma blends well with its crisp flavour and easy-drinking style. On the palate, it is crisp but beautifully structured.
Alcohol (ABV)
13%
Acidity
5.9 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.9 g/l
pH
3.2
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poggio al Tesoro | `Sondraia` Bolgheri Superiore | TE201 | R | Factsheet | |
`W Dedicato a Walter` Cabernet Franc | TE202 | R | Factsheet | ||
`Solosole` Vermentino | TE203 | W | Factsheet | ||
`Mediterra` | TE204 | R | Factsheet | ||
`Pagus Camilla` Vermentino | TE208 | W | Factsheet | ||
`Il Seggio` Bolgheri | TE209 | R | Factsheet | ||
`Sondraia` Bianco | TE210 | W | Factsheet |