This product is no longer available. Please choose another vintage above.
Sandrone - Le Vigne 2010
Estate
Luciano Sandrone is one of the iconic producers in Barolo, and his is both a well known and extraordinary story. He started to learn viticulture at the age of 14 or 15, and after years of work as a cellarman he depleted his life savings and purchased his first vineyard on the Cannubi hill in 1977, though he could only manage his land on the weekends while he continued to work. He made his first few vintages in his garage, until the winery he built in 1998 was ready. Luciano has devoted
every fiber of his being towards cultivating the finest Nebbiolo from his sites in Barolo and the Roero, and transmitting these expressions through his wines.
Vintage
The year 2010 was marked by heavy precipitation in winter and spring. The seasonal pattern was in the normal range and never too hot, which fostered a long growing season with a slightly late maturation. More essential than ever, green pruning and thinning were absolutely necessary during this vintage to
achieve excellent results.
Vinification
Each vineyard is vinified separately, and after destemming and light crushing, the must is covered with CO2 for a gentle warm maceration of approximately a day. Alcoholic fermentation begins about 24-36 hours later from native yeasts. A gentle maceration takes place in upright open-top steel tanks for the first 9-15 days of alcoholic fermentation. Immediately after alcoholic fermentation, which
takes 28-30 days, malolactic fermentation takes place in 500 liter French oak casks. The wine is aged in these casks (20-25% new) for 24 months.
Wine
Le Vigne is a wine created from three different vineyards, each of which brings its own contribution. The first vineyard, Vignane, is situated in the historical part of the Barolo appellation and shares many characteristics with Cannubi but does not possess the latter's aromatic complexity. The wines show softness and elegance, and a distinct midpalate mouthfeel that enhances the sense of richness when combined with other, more austere grapes. The Merli vineyard is located in Novello, with the Sandrone section in a south-southwest facing bowl that captures the afternoon light perfectly. The wines made from here are earthy and robust but with good aromatic complexity. The third vineyard, Baudana, is a newly acquired site in Serralunga d'Alba, and gives the wine an additional depth and richness.
