Tenuta di Trinoro

ABOUT THE VINTAGE

The second wine of Tenuta di Trinoro, Le Cupole was first produced in 1995. The blend of the four grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, changes every year with the respect to the vintage. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in one to three year-old barriques and cement, Le Cupole is velvety and approachable. This wine hits the palate with exuberance, full of fleshy, bright fruit, extracted tannins, and rich colour.

The new year began with a significant snowfall in January that blanketed Val d’Orcia in a magnificent layer of snow. However, this moment of peace and harmony lasted only a few days before giving way to a rain-filled winter that replenished the water reserves. 

In March, temperatures began to rise, causing the vines to awaken unexpectedly early, only to abruptly slow down with the arrival of spring, when temperatures suddenly dropped again. In early April, the vines endured days where the thermometer struggled to rise above 10°C / 50°F and plant growth proceded slowly, continuing through May and the first part of June. The mild temperatures and weekly rains dictated a fast pace in vineyard management, as treatments were required before and after every rainfall. The dry conditions of 2021 and 2022 seemed a distant memory and the battle against downy mildew left an indelible mark on our approach to the vineyards in 2023, with 500 mm of rain falling at Tenuta di Trinoro during spring and early summer alone. 

Summer arrived suddenly at the end of June, with vegetation virtually exploding. The vines appeared heavy with fruit and the foliage was lush as the summer heat daily exceeded 30°C / 86°F. This weather stretched well into mid-September. At the end of July, a careful green harvest reduced the fruit load while the leaves were left to shade the small clusters as they consumed the water reserves accumulated throughout the year. 

The grapes ripened slowly and harvest of our red grapes was kicked in on Septemper 18th with a late-ripening Merlot. Even the heavy rains mid-month did nothing to usher in autumn, bringing Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen a bit earlier than expected. We picked on October 4th through 6th for the first and on October 19th for the latter. In this nonstop harvest we chased the cooler parts of the day, with morning pickings starting before sunrise. On October 17th the very last grapes of Petit Verdot were brought to the winery. It was our 41st parcel. We will remembere this harvest for one of the warmest Octobers on record, but also for its good yields, despite the turbulent growing season. 

The wines appear explosive and exuberant.