Poggio al Tesoro, `Pagus Camilla` Vermentino
Vintage: 2017
Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | TE208B17 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Poggio al Tesoro is a 70-hectare Bolgheri estate acquired in 2002 by the Allegrini family. The first vineyard they bought, ‘Le Sondraie’, is next door to Ornellaia and was previously rented by them. It comprises 50 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Vermentino. All of the Poggio al Tesoro vineyards are located in “soprastrada”, the area east of the Bolgherese road considered the best vineyard site in Bolgheri. The soils here are complex and varied thanks to the mineral composition created by the Seggio stream from the nearby hillsides. A careful soil mapping has also allowed Allegrini to match each plot to the grape variety best suited to its unique growing conditions. This attention to detail continues today with a sustainable and organic approach in the vineyard and winery, where different vessels and techniques are utilised to optimise the potential of each variety and plot. Every year the quality of these exceptional wines continues to improve, reflecting the unique characteristics of the Bolgheri territory.
The ‘Solosole’ Vermentino is crisp and fresh, made from a specially selected Vermentino clone from Corsica. The ‘Pagus Camilla’ is a step up, made from Vermentino sourced from a prime vineyard planted on deep sandy soils by the river Camilla. It is aged on its lees with regular bâtonnage for nine months, creating aromas of Mediterranean herbs and citrus with a marked minerality on the finish. The ‘Sondraia Bianco’ is a small production of 100% Viognier, sourced from the ‘Le Sondraie’ vineyard. Partially fermenting in stainless steel, amphora and barrique results in a wine defined by a characterful bouquet rich in floral and fruity aromas, orange peel and typical Mediterranean scrub. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot-based ‘Cassiopea’ Rosato is a deliciously fruity rosé, softly pressed and fermented in stainless steel.
The ‘Mediterra’, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is a fragrant and intensely fruity red wine. ‘Il Seggio’ is the name of the creek that runs through Bolgheri. The wine that bears its name is a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend aged in 225 litre barriques for 15 months. It is structured, concentrated and fresh. The ‘Sondraia’, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc has a pure cassis note on the nose that gives way to a lovely depth of fruit on the palate. ‘W Dedicato a Walter’ is their pure Cabernet Franc, first produced in 2003. It is lifted yet ripe, intense yet balanced.
Vineyards
Grapes for the Pagus Camilla Vermentino are grown in proximity to the river Camilla within the 'Le Sondraie' vineyard which covers seven hectares at an altitude of 25 metres above sea level. This part of the vineyard faces west, and its deep sandy soil is rich in iron and has gravel and clay layers. Vines are trained with the Guyot system at 7,936 plants per hectare.
Vintage
Winter weather was good, with very little rain and slightly lower than usual average temperatures that helped to fight insect infestations that can damage the vines. Spring was marked by early bud burst, while summer picked up on the trend in spring, with sunny days and constant breezes. Early July was marked by relatively elevated humidity for the coastal area. The first significant rainfall occurred in mid-September, followed again by warm, bright days. The prolonged drought helped fighting both fungal and parasitic diseases. Irrigation management was complex, coordinated with the help of mini weather stations equipped with sensors capable of detecting soil moisture and the release of vapour. But as always, human observation was invaluable: visual and manual monitoring of swelling in the leaves and grapes prompted timely interventions with exactly the right amount of water, to keep the grapes fresh and the leaf canopy actively engaged in photosynthesis.
Vinification
Soft pressing of previously cooled grapes, whilst the start of fermentation is characterized by maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature. Only after this phase the must is separated and fermented in stainless steel (70%) and terracotta amphorae (30%) at low temperatures.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Pagus Camilla will surprise you with its bluster of fresh aromas and sea breeze, and fragrances that, caressing the fruit, also recall Mediterranean scrub, meadow flowers and spices, in a continuous spiral of change and rediscovery. On the palate it has a full body, with refreshing acidity. Complexity and richness will increase as the wine ages, making it new and unpredictable for many years to come.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
6 g/l
Residual Sugar
1.5 g/l
pH
3.2
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poggio al Tesoro | `Sondraia` Bolgheri Superiore | TE201 | R | Factsheet | |
`W Dedicato a Walter` Cabernet Franc | TE202 | R | Factsheet | ||
`Solosole` Vermentino | TE203 | W | Factsheet | ||
`Mediterra` | TE204 | R | |||
`Cassiopea` Bolgheri Rosato | TE205 | Ro | Factsheet | ||
`Il Seggio` Bolgheri | TE209 | R | Factsheet | ||
`Sondraia` Bianco | TE210 | W | Factsheet |