Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Monta La Casaccia 2017

From a climactic point of view, 2017 can be defined as very similar to 2012 regarding the weather conditions, where these extremes have certainly become its strong point in terms of pleasantness, opulence, and readiness to drink. The springtime saw mild temperatures with little rainfall which resulted in an early bud burst and flowering. The early summer months were very hot with above-average temperatures and without rainfall. On one hand, this situation is ideal for plant health with the absence of plant disease; on the other hand, it is of great stress on the vines, which heartily withstood these conditions thanks to the abundant water reserves accumulated after the 2016 harvest, especially in the more clayey terrain of the Canalicchio Cru. Between the end of July and the end of August, there was rainfall that was fundamental in generating that necessary push for a good veraison, rain that was average in a normal year for a total of 30mm. The grapes were very small in size with a great concentration, and the rain, in addition to a drop to below-average temperatures, allowed for a uniform and balanced veraison creating the base for an early harvest, which was not as early as we had thought in July when the heat and dry conditions were compromising the vines. The 30mm of rain on September 1 and the 30mm of rain on September 16, the cooling temperatures, and the considerable diurnal temperature range were the turning point in quality of this vintage, factors which did not result in harvesting too early and which did not affect the acidity too much. The acidity remained balanced and relatively high to support the structure, concentration, and alcohol content, guaranteeing balance and elegance in the wines. The harvest took place during the regular time of year precisely thanks to these weather conditions in September, starting on September 25 and finishing on October 6. We carried out a double selection - in the vineyard as well as in the cellar on sorting tables to eliminate any imperfections of grapes that had been dried up by the sun in June and July and which would have brought astringency to the tannins and bitterness to the fruit. This selection most certainly influenced the quantity of the harvest for our winery, but it allowed us to maintain our high standards of quality.