Boscobruno (2018)

About this wine

This is a 100 percent Pinot Noir grown in the Boscobruno single vineyard in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, at about 480 metres above sea level, on limestone and clay soils with galestro and alberese. The 2018 harvest is picked in early September and the grapes undergo alcoholic fermentation and a roughly 15 day maceration in temperature controlled cement vats. Malolactic fermentation is completed in used French oak barriques which adds gentle texture and integrated oak notes. On the nose you find fresh red cherry and wild strawberry with hints of underbrush, dried herbs and a fine note of baking spice. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a silky texture, bright acidity and rounded tannins, showing cherry, cranberry and a mineral core. The finish is clean and persistent with a touch of savory herb and light earth that reflects the site.

About the grape

Pinot Noir is an ancient Burgundian variety prized for its thin skin and sensitivity to site, and at Vallepicciola it is planted as a pure block called Boscobruno to highlight that connection to cool climate expression. The vines at Boscobruno are trained with the Guyot system at about 480 meters above sea level on limestone and clay soils with patches of marl and galestro, planted at roughly 5,000 vines per hectare to control vigor and concentration. Harvest is carried out in early September from the small Boscobruno parcel and the winery manages yields around 45 quintals per hectare to favour ripeness and balance. In this bottling Pinot Noir undergoes careful temperature controlled fermentation and malolactic ageing in used French oak barriques, practices chosen to respect the variety's delicate aromatics and convey the vineyard character.

Quick facts

• 🌲 The name Boscobruno literally means Brown Wood, the label even shows trees as a nod to the vineyard name and local woodland.
• ⛰️ It is a 100 percent Pinot Noir grown in a single high altitude vineyard at about 480 metres, an unusual elevation for a Tuscan Pinot Noir.
• 🍇 The wine comes from a very limited yield vineyard, the producer keeps quantities small so each vintage feels like a boutique single vineyard release.
• 🔬 Fermentation and maceration are done in temperature controlled cement vats, then the wine finishes malolactic in used French oak barriques, a blend of modern and traditional techniques.
• 🍾 Collectors mention the bottle uses heavy glass and an unusually deep punt, a playful detail that signals Vallepicciola treats this Pinot with special attention.

Palate profile

Producer

Vallepicciola is a modern estate founded by the Bolfo family who restored the ruins of a monastery in Pievasciata and began developing the property in the late 1990s. The winery grew quickly and opened its contemporary cellars in 2016, combining traditional Tuscan varieties with international grapes across its extensive vineyards. Vallepicciola has emphasized design and hospitality, building a 6,000 square metre cellar and offering tasting and tourism experiences on the estate. In recent years the estate has gained international recognition for its Chianti Classico and expanded a Grand Cru range, while also producing olive oil and other estate products.