2006 |
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Barolo Le Vigne
Vineyard
Ceretta,
Conterni,
Merli,
Vignane
Technical datas
The alternation of hot and cold periods characterised 2006, during the whole vegetative cycle.Summery heatwaves in May and June, with a peak of 38°C in July, led us to assume that the year would be...
The alternation of hot and cold periods characterised 2006, during the whole vegetative cycle.
Summery heatwaves in May and June, with a peak of 38°C in July, led us to assume that the year would be similar to 2003; fortunately things changed from August onwards.
August 2006 was the coldest of the last 5 years, with marked differences between day and night temperatures and, thankfully, some rainfall.
Rain at the very beginning of September risked jeopardising the health of the grape harvest, but then the weather improved.
Despite occasional excesses - the climate situation was never a major difficulty for the vines and allowed the crop to ripen superbly, with a balanced and complete accumulation of all components.
Harvest
From the 3rd to the 16th October
Vinification
Each lot was vinified separately. After destemming and light crushing, must is "sealed" with CO2 for gentle warm maceration of approximately a day. Alcoholic fermentation begins about 24-36 hours later from native wild yeasts only.
Maceration:
Gentle maceration in upright open-top steel tanks for the first 9-12 days of the alcoholic fermentation
Malo-lactic Fermentation:
Immediately after alcoholic fermentation in French oak casks with a capacity of 500l.
Alcohlic Fermentation: 28-30 days.
Aging:
24 months in French oak tonneaux of 500l, followed by 18 months in bottle.
Blending: During summer 2008, once the potential of every single batch of wine was certain.
Bottling date: January 2009
Drink from: 2015
Drink to: 2025
Production
Bottles: 16000
Magnums: 700
Double Magnums :90
Analytical parameters
Alcohol content: 14.4 % vol.
Total acidity: 5.9 g/l
PH: 3.41
Net extract: 33.8 g/l
Ratings
Wine Advocate: 96 points
IWC/Stephen Tanzer: 92 points
IWC/Ian D'Agata: 94+ points
Wine Spectator: 92 points
Gambero Rosso: 2 Bicchieri
Ais: 5 Grappoli
Veronelli: 3 Stelle
L'espresso: 3 Bottiglie
Vini Buoni d'Italia: 4 Stelle
Luca Maroni: 86
JamesSuckling.com: 93 points
Wine Advocate: 96 points, #187, Feb 2010
Sandrone’s 2006 Barolo Le Vigne possesses awesome balance as intricately woven layers of aromas and flavors come together in the glass. The 2006 is an especially powerful Le Vigne boasting a solid core of floral, red fruits supported by firm yet elegant tannins. This, too, shows the considerable drive and focus that is the hallmark of the vintage. The wine’s overall balance is impeccable. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane (Barolo), Conterni and Ceretta (Monforte) and Merli (Novello). The wines are aged separately for a year in 500-liter barrels. The final blend is assembled, after which the wine spends an additional year in oak prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026.
My visit last year with Luciano and Luca Sandrone was illuminating, as I had an opportunity to taste verticals of both of the estate’s Barolos spanning vintages 2005 through 2009, culminating with exceptional bottles of the 1990s, which I report on in this issue’s “What About Now” feature. Sandrone’s 2006 Barolos are among the unqualified successes of the 2006 harvest. The wines show more richness and density than the 2005s, but less exuberance than the 2007s, in a focused, driven style I find quite attractive.
IWC: 92 points. Nov/Dec 09.
Good deep red-ruby. Wilder aromas of blueberry, camphor and brown spices. Much more strict on the palate than the Cannubi Boschis, with the camphor and brown spice elements currently holding the upper hand over primary fruit. Less silky and more masculine in texture. Finishes chewy, firm and long, with serious tannins currently cutting off the fruit.
IWC/Ian D'Agata: 94+ points. Feb 11, 2011, Le Vigne Vertical Special Report
Bright deep ruby-red. Complex aromas of red cherry, blueberry and brown spices. Full-bodied and deep, with high but harmonious acidity giving focus to the red cherry, camphor and mineral flavors. Youthfully chewy yet smooth tannins stain the palate on the long, firm finish. Though the fruit is starting to show through, this vintage of Le Vigne maintains an air of austerity and strictness that will take years to shed. Forget about this beauty in your cellar for at least another ten years.
Wine Spectator: 92 points, Wine Spectator Insider, Feb 16, 2011
Black cherry, plum, tar and licorice flavors are sweet and offset the firm structure in this red, which has a fine, spicy aftertaste. There’s an almost lush texture, and though this is balanced, it needs time to come together. Best from 2014 through 2030.—B.S.
Gambero Rosso: 2 Bicchieri. Ottobre 2010
Molto vicino al Cannubi Boschis, appena più scuro nei toni di mora, cacao e incenso, pieno e potente, piacevole e teso senza scalini.
Ais: 5 Grappoli. Ottobre 2010
Frutta dolce, ciliegia, viola, mora, cacao, fragola macerata. Bocca importante, ricca, succosa, molto lunga e armoniosa. Secondo noi il migliore di sempre, grande al naso, perfetto al gusto. Per palati fini ed esigenti.
Vini Buoni d'Italia: 4 Stelle. Ottobre 2010
Dietro il boisé, arrivano petali di rosa appassiti, ciliegie nere, liquirizia dolce e spezie: al palato ha tannino nobile già in congiunzione con la polpa che si porge generosa; giu
sta acidità e lunga la persistenza.
JamesSuckling.com: 93 Points- Jan 25, 2011
Love the nose on this, which delivers lots of perfumes of dried dark fruits and minerals. Full and very well-integrated, with super silky tannins and a long finish. Better than 2005. Still needs some time, check back after 2014.
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