Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso Toscana IGT 2023

The 2023 vintage presented unique challenges and opportunities. The year began with unusually mild conditions, with abundant rainfall during winter and spring providing crucial water reserves. A notable cold spell in April temporarily slowed vine development, while the consistently cool and wet conditions of May and June resulted in flowering occurring approximately one week later than usual.

The summer months brought more favorable conditions, with July and August delivering the warmth and dryness necessary for optimal grape development. The spring’s accumulated water reserves proved valuable during this period, helping the vines partially recover from their delayed start.

The harvest schedule reflected the year’s unique rhythm, beginning slightly later than the previous vintage. The picking sequence followed the natural ripening order of the varieties: Merlot in mid-September, followed by Syrah and Petit Verdot, with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon completing the harvest around October 10th.

The winemaking approach emphasized gentle handling and variety-specific vinification. Each grape variety was processed separately, beginning with careful destemming and gentle crushing. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with strict monitoring to ensure temperatures remained below 25°C. The maceration period was relatively brief at approximately one week, suggesting a focus on elegant extraction rather than power. Following the completion of malolactic fermentation in autumn, the wines underwent a several-month aging period before being bottled in early May 2024.

This blend represents the successful marriage of Tuscany’s traditional variety (Sangiovese) with internationally recognized grapes, a winemaking philosophy that emerged in the 1970s and has since become a hallmark of modern Tuscan winemaking.