PRODUCTION AREA: Estate vineyards in the southern hills of Montalcino. Altitude: 250 meters above sea level. Position: Hillside. 

SOIL TYPE: Light olive brown colour, sandy topsoil, very calcareous. 

GRAPE VARIETIES: 100% Chardonnay. 

TRELLISING SYSTEM: Cordone speronato (Spurred cordon). 

VINE DENSITY: 2.100 vines/ha. 

HECTAR YIELD: 80 q.li/ha. 

PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE: The whole grape bunches are chilled to 8-10°C prior pressing and destemming. The free-run juice is then separated and clarified over 48 hours by cold sedimentation, and only the clear must is racked into barriques and inoculated with yeasts for the alcoholic fermentation. After fermentation, the roomtemperature is lowered to 10°C to avoid the beginning of malolactic fermentation. An aging period on the fine lees follows during 5-6 months with a weekly stirring of the lees. An 8-10-month bottle aging concludes the cycle. 

DESCRIPTION Colour: straw yellow with light golden reflections. Bouquet: intense, fruity with varietal notes and spicy vanilla hints. Taste: soft, dry with ample sensations of apple, peach and apricot framed by very fine wood. 

WINEMAKER’S NOTES: This 100% Chardonnay belongs to Castello Banfi estate-bottled single-varietalsrange. Thanks to the microclimate of our Montalcino vineyards and to theaging in barrique this is an aritstocratic favorite, a varietal imbued with complexity. 

FOOD PAIRINGS: A wine for the entire meal. Ideal with elaborate first courses based on fish and meat. Good aging potential. First vintage produced: 1982 

Alcohol content:12,5 to 13% vol. following the vintage condition
Available formats: 0,75 l

""This complex and distinctive Chardonnay from Italy blends toasty, spicy oak aromas with ample fruit and nutty nuances to make a concentrated, focused, nicely balanced whole. Long on the finish and thoroughly enticing."" - Wine Spectator