La Braccesca 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for La Braccesca 2022 by Antinori - La Braccesca

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a brilliant ruby-red color.

Nose

The nose reveals intense and pleasant notes of fresh red fruits, notably strawberry, cherry, and blackberry. Aromas of blood orange bring a spicy and slightly bitter dimension, while delicate hints of vanilla and spices complete the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is ample and fresh, with a clear and precise attack. Fruity impressions of blackberry and cherry carry through from the nose to the palate. The tannic structure is velvety, offering a soft and silky texture. The finish is marked by a pleasant and persistent length, with delicate echoes of vanilla.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, notably bistecca alla fiorentina. It also matches remarkably well with game meats, polenta with wild boar sauce, or braised meats. Aged cheeses such as parmigiano reggiano or pecorino toscano also make excellent pairings. Pasta with meat ragù, particularly pappardelle with wild boar, naturally harmonizes with this wine. For more innovative pairings, this wine also accompanies legume-based dishes, grilled vegetables, or ribollita, the traditional Tuscan soup.

Serving and Cellaring

This La Braccesca 2022 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favorably until around 2027.

An elegant and balanced Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany

The Estate

Acquired by Marchesi Antinori in 1990, the La Braccesca estate takes its name from the ancient Bracci counts who administered these lands. The property extends over 508 hectares including 340 hectares of vineyards, divided into two distinct blocks between Montepulciano and Cortona in Tuscany. The estate stands out for its commitment to sustainable innovation. Today, La Braccesca is part of the Marchesi Antinori group, led by Albiera Antinori and her sisters Allegra and Alessia, alongside Renzo Cotarella, CEO and chief winemaker. The estate embodies the Antinori philosophy, combining respect for traditional Tuscan terroir with the adoption of technological and agronomic innovations.

The Vineyard

La Braccesca is a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano produced from vineyards located in the heart of the Montepulciano DOCG appellation. The vines notably extend across the historically renowned sub-zones of Cervognano, Santa Pia, and Gracciano. The soil composition is largely characterized by silty-sandy formations rich in very fine gravel, originating from marine and fluvio-lacustrine deposits dating back to the Pliocene and Pleistocene. This composition favors the development of sangiovese with moderate extraction and supple, silky tannins, as well as aromas of ripe red fruits, citrus, and spices.

The Vintage

The winter and spring of 2022 in Tuscany were marked by mild weather conditions with an almost total absence of rainfall. Budburst took place at the end of April, a few days later than seasonal averages. The summer months were characterized by continuous drought and daytime temperatures above historical averages. A hail episode at the end of June affected several plots, reducing yields but favoring a natural selection of the healthiest grapes. A targeted cluster thinning program was implemented during the summer to ensure optimal ripeness of the remaining berries. Harvest took place from September 13 to 21.

Vinification and Aging

Each grape variety of La Braccesca 2022 was harvested separately. After gentle destemming and careful crushing, the must was transferred into stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 25 to 28°C. Maceration on the skins lasted seven to ten days, with punching down and pumping-over techniques applied in a controlled and delicate manner to extract only the softest tannins. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine was transferred into large-format casks where malolactic fermentation took place, followed by a maturation period of approximately twelve months. Bottling took place in spring 2024, followed by a period of bottle aging before commercial release.

Grape Varieties

Sangiovese (90 %)
Merlot (10 %)