Antinori - La Braccesca : Sabazio 2024

Tasting characteristics and tips for the 2024 Sabazio from Antinori - La Braccesca

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a beautiful ruby red colour.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens on intense notes of red fruits, dominated by cherry and morello cherry. Delicate floral hints of violet harmoniously intertwine with minty and balsamic nuances.

Palate
The tasting reveals a juicy, flavourful and supple profile, supported by very pleasant tannins. The finish, with lovely persistence, ends on indulgent notes of strawberry and cherry.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of dishes. It will go perfectly with grilled meats, pasta served with meat-based sauces, comforting stews, as well as poultry or light beef-based preparations.

Serving and cellaring
The 2024 Sabazio can be enjoyed in its youth for its fruity profile, while also possessing the necessary structure to benefit from a short period of cellaring.

The fruity expression of a Tuscan Rosso di Montepulciano by Antinori - La Braccesca

The estate
Located in Tuscany, the Antinori - La Braccesca estate stretches over more than 500 hectares. Acquired in 1990 by the famous Antinori family, this historic property is now run by sisters Albiera, Allegra and Alessia Antinori. The estate stands out thanks to its unique geographical location, straddling the Montepulciano and Cortona appellations, making it possible to produce wines with very distinct identities. A true mark of quality, the estate combines the region's rich winegrowing heritage with modern farming practices to reveal the full authenticity of its terroir.

The vineyard
The vines dedicated to the production of this Rosso di Montepulciano thrive in the historic heart of the estate, which comprises around 103 hectares spread across the prestigious sectors of Cervognano, Santa Pia and Gracciano. Situated at an altitude of approximately 180 metres, this terroir benefits from soils composed of sandy silts rich in very fine gravels, providing excellent drainage that is ideal for the qualitative development of the vines.

The vintage
Autumn 2023 proved to be rainy and warmer than usual, followed by a winter with temperatures generally above seasonal averages. Budburst began at the end of March. The cool and damp spring delayed flowering until the end of May. After a mild start to summer, intense heat set in from mid-June onwards. Rainfall at the end of August helped bring temperatures down, thus encouraging gradual and optimal ripening of the berries through to the harvest, which extended from mid-September to the end of October.

Winemaking and ageing
After meticulous harvesting of perfectly healthy and ripe grapes, the berries are destemmed and gently crushed. The alcoholic fermentation of the 2024 Sabazio takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with temperatures rigorously kept below 25°C in order to preserve all the freshness of the aromas. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and continues its ageing in these same tanks for around four months, before being bottled at the beginning of the following July.

Grape varieties
This Italian wine is mainly produced from Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile), complemented by a small proportion of Merlot.