Contrada C 2019
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Contrada Chiappemacine is a small district, located at 550m a.s.l ., the lowest of the five. This vineyard produces a full and round wine because of the sandstone soil that is found at the limits of the lava flows. The breezes of the day and a few roots that reach up to the limestone give a full, frustrating and with body wine. We have 1,3 Ha of vineyard in this Contrada.
A late ripening year on Mt. Etna as well, the vintage was characterized by a decidedly cold spring during April and May, with a light frost over May 6-7. This persistent cold weather continued until the end of May without interruption, causing a significant delay in flowering, which itself continued until the middle of June.
June finally brought a gradual and constant increase in temperatures, with the chardonnay flowering first on the 13th, with subsequent fruit set, sparser this year. Then, toward the end of the month, we began to have incredibly high temperatures, peaking near 40 degrees Celsius (almost 104 degrees Fahrenheit); these heat spikes lasted until the end of September, allowing the vines to recuperate some of the time lost by the cold spring. This allowed us to begin thinning the berries at the start of August.
The Chardonnay harvest began later this year, on September 17th, and entering into October , we had an important jump in phenolic ripeness in the red berries thanks to a dramatic period in the diurnal cycle that occurred at the same time as the first quarter moon. This vintage brought about sinuous wines that are not too high in alcohol, with the right equilibrium between fresh fruit and vertical acidity, characteristics due to this final period of physiological maturity at the end of the winding growing season. A year of excellent quality since the rains spared us their odious inference.
REVIEWS
Othmar Kiem – Simon Staffler, Falstaff, 95 points
Walter Speller, Jancis Robinson, 17 points: “Just mid ruby. Peppery nose of red fruit, cherry, rhubarb and raspberry with a spicy undertow and a hint of oak and tobacco leaf. Gorgeous depth and concentration on the palate and with a layer of fine-grained tannins. Real intensity on the finish. Cool-climate spirit in spite of its 15% alcohol. Drink 2021-2026.”
Monica Larner,Robertparker.com, 93 points: “The Vini Franchetti 2019 Contrada C shows a sweet side with wild cherry and raspberry. Those primary notes are framed by ashy volcanic notes, crushed stone and wildflower. You also get hints of grilled rosemary and dried lavender. Compared to the other single-vineyard wines in this series, Contrada C (from the Contrada Chiappemacine at 550 meters in elevation) has a sweeter, slightly more accessible personality. But the tight tannins and streamlined fruit weight promise good aging potential. The alcohol content is high at 15%, and only 3,880 bottles were made.Drink Date:2024 – 2035 ”
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: “Weightless, concentrated and delicious, this has aromas of camphor, wild berries, rose and wet stone. The full-bodied palate delivers crushed raspberry, wild strawberry, cinnamon and star anise before an almost salty finish. Lithe tannins provide finesse and polished support.”
Eric Guido, Vinous, 92 points: “The 2019 Contrada Chiappemacine (C) wafts up with a dark blend of black cherries and shaved cedar in an air of ashen smoke. It’s round and soothingly textural, with cooling acidity that enlivens the mineral-tinged red berries and hints of brown spice within. This finishes with a mentholated freshness, while leaving silty tannins to linger, which also keeps the mouth watering for more. It will only require minimal cellaring to show its best. The Chiappemacine cru lies at around 550 meters in elevation with a thin layer of volcanic soils over a bed of limestone. Drinking Window: 2023 – 2029”
BLEND
100% Nerello Mascalese
ALTITUDE
1,800 feet (550 meters)
PRODUCTION
3,880 bottles
