Tenuta Rapitalà - Grand Cru Chardonnay Sicilia I.G.T. 2011
Overview
As of the 2018 vintage, Tenuta Rapitalà’s Grand Cru has been renamed to Conte Hugues Chardonnay Sicilia DOC, in honor of Tenute Rapitalà's founder and a great winemaker.
The chardonnay is a fine expression of the character of the estate. The selected parcels feature the estate’s oldest vines, planted in 1982. Specific vinification techniques enhance its typicity and its prestigious bottle, with a relief of the ancient and noble coat of arms of the family of Hugues Bernard Count de la Gatinais, makes “Grand Cru” a wine that represents the strong personality, legacy and singularity of the estate.
Terroir: Fully-ripe fruit is harvested in August. White-wine vinification includes a gentle pressing and cold settling of the young must, part of which undergoes a short (12 hours) cold maceration, followed by classic decanting and alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Vinification: The grapes are picked in August when they are fully ripe and richness is at its maximum. The grapes are gently pressed and cold settled. Part of the must undergoes a short (12 hours) cold maceration, followed by classic decanting. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. When the must achieves 4-5% alcohol, the wine is racked into French oak barriques where fermentation is completed. The wine then ages on its lees in French oak barriques for 9-12 months. It is then bottle refined for a minimum of three months before release.
Laurent de la Gatinais discusses Grand Cru
Additional Details
Pale gold color. The typical full, fruity, soft character of the chardonnay and the aromatic notes of the wood are evident on the nose. A round wine, with well defined Mediterranean scents, full-bodied and satisfying with a long and lingering finish.Recent News
Forbes
Author: Nick Passmore
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
"Creamy, succulent and aromatic imagine a combination of California Chardonnay and Savennires. A big wine for big food, even red meat."
Wine & Spirits Rating: 90
Author: Joshua Greene
Date: Monday, May 12, 2014
"Concentrated chardonnay, this is an impressive Sicilian take on the grape, with saltwater taffy scents and a broad, creamy texture. The fruit is ripe, in a tropical mode, cut by mineral edges of acidity and alcohol. For a salmon steak."
Wine & Spirits Rating: 90
Author: Unlisted
Date: Monday, March 17, 2014
Review is not available at this time