Mainly because of a wet and cool May harvest started this year about 10 days later than normal. A dry summer guarantied healthy grapes and we started to pick Merlot in Maremma on the 5th of September followed shortly after by Roussanne. We planted this mediterranean white grape variety in our Maremma vineyard only in 2014 so that it is our real first harvest of Roussanne. Most of it we fermented “traditionally” in a stainless steal tank while as an experiment we fermented a small part together with the skins in two Ceramic egg shaped vessels.
While it is early to make a verdict – we will finish to harvest this week – the first impression is that thanks to the long growing season and late harvest the wines will be very balanced with moderate alcohol and ripe tannins.
