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Castello di Volpaia
2004 Balifico, Tuscany |
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SUPER-TUSCANS
The first Super-Tuscans were created in the 1970s by Chianti producers who rejected government mandates that determined which grapes were required to go into their wine, especially white grapes like Malvasia and Trebbiano. The Super-Tuscans were also treated differently from Chianti, aged in small French barriques rather than in large Slovenian casks. Because they did not follow D.O.C. regulations, the Super-Tuscans were entitled only to the lowest official designation of the time — vino da tavola. It wasn’t until 1994 that the government recognized the high quality of the Super-Tuscans and gave the wine its own category — I.G.T. (Indicazione Geografica Tipica). |
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Balifico (bawl-ee-FEE-co)
Located just east of Coltassala, the Balifico vineyard shares its name and location with a villa. The vineyard was grafted over from older Sangiovese clones in 1982 when the existing vineyard was 10 years old. The vines are fully exposed to south on light, sub-alkaline (pH 7.8), sandstone soils — ideal conditions for the grapes. Grapes from Balifico vineyard are used exclusively for the Balifico I.G.T. bottling. Vineyard Cultivation: Certified organic
Vineyard Composition: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Size: 12.4 acres total (7.66 Sangiovese; 4.74 Cabernet Sauvignon)
Age of Vines: Average of 20-25 years old (ongoing planting since the 1980s)
Soils: Sandstone
Elevation: 1,475 (Cabernet Sauvignon)-1,542 ft. (Sangiovese)
Exposure: South-southwest (Sangiovese); southwest (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Density: 2,200 vines/acre (Sangiovese); 2,306 vines/acre (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Training: Guyot (Sangiovese); cordon spur (Cabernet Sauvignon) |
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April and May temperatures were below average, delaying budbreak. Fortunately May was also rainy, allowing the vines to build up reserves of water for the warm summer months. It became apparent early in the season that yields would be very high in 2004, and Volpaia worked hard in the vineyards to ensure that the vines stayed healthy and well-balanced. Excellent September temperatures meant that the grapes kept their aromas. Harvest began in late August, while the late-ripening grapes were harvested at the end of September. Despite rain just before harvest, all the grapes were very healthy when they arrived in the cellars.
Harvest Dates: October 10-15 |
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| The Balifico has a vivid ruby color with a dark purple tinge. The nose is elegant, displaying aromas of blackberry and blueberry with hints of oak and cinnamon. This is a smooth wine with a good structure and a long finish tasting of red fruit. |
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Varietal Composition: 65% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon
Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak from Séguin Moreau
Bottled: December 27, 2006
Case Pack: 6/750ml
Total Production: 2,400 cases
Imported Into U.S.: 500 cases
Alcohol: 13.0%
TA: 5.2 g/L
pH: 2.0 g/L |
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