POGGIO AL TESORO Mediterra 2008 Poggio al Tesoro is the result of a joint venture between the Allegrini family of Verona and their US importer, Leonardo Lo Cascio. Situated in Bolgheri, this 70 hectare property was acquired in 2001, with their first vintage the following year. The vineyard they first bought is on the Bolgherese, next door to (and previously rented by) Ornellaia. Alberto Antonini was consultant winemaker until 2009, when Nicola Biasi took over. Fruit for this wine is sourced from Le Sondraie vineyard which comprises 6 hectares of west-southwest-facing vines, situated at an altitude of just 25m above sea level. Soils here are well dranined and composed of clay and sandy silt with a high presence of magnesium and iron. The vines are 6 years old, spur cordon trained with a very high density of planting (7,500 vines/ha) and yields are low, approximately 56 hl/ha. 2008 was another excellent vintage with a mild spring and rainy June, replenishing the water table. Showers on 15 August slowed down the ripening process, preserving acidity in the grapes. Harvest was carried out in good conditions with cool nights and warm days, helping to encourage development of the aromatic qualities in the grapes and allowing the tannins to ripen fully. Harvest began on 1 September for Merlot followed by Syrah and ending with Cabernet Sauvignon on 21 September. After de-stemming and soft pressing with partial rupture of the berries, fermentation and a 12 day maceration took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 26-28°C for 12 days. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 8 months in second use oak barriques where malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place. Tremendous depth of black-red colour with a youthful purple rim. On the nose it is spicy and intnese, with notes of aromatic mediterranean herbs from the Syrah adding depth to the spicy, red and black fruit characters of the Cabernet and Merlot. On the palate, the three varieties work together to produce a full-bodied, well-structured wine with plenty of fruit and lovely silky tannins. Juicy blackberry and oregano perfumes come through on the finish. Vintage 2008 Grape varieties 40% Syrah 30% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon Region Bolgheri Winemaker Nicola Biasi Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 14.3% Acidity 5.3g/l Residual Sugar 1.8g/l Wine pH 3.6 Price: £99.34 (Including VAT at 20%)