Bacco Estate, Il Sovrano 2022

Description

BLEND
39% MERLOT, 31% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 25% CABERNET FRANC, 5% SANGIOVESE

Technical Analysis
Alc: 13.36% | pH: 3.59 | TA: 5.81 g/l | RS: 3.10 g/l

IN THE VINEYARD
This wine is part of Bacco’s premium range and precision viticulture is necessary to produce this standard of quality. Our Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc blocks consist of quartz and ferricrete (locally known as koffieklip) deposits, growing on sandy topsoils with clay subsoils. As a result, we get great concentration in the fruit. The Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc follow a meticulous viticultural management programme, which includes dropping any grape bunches that are underripe and cutting out any green berries within bunches. Typically these blocks yield between 6-8 tons/ha. 2022 is the first year we harvested harvested Sangiovese for red wine production. The site on which it grows is slightly sandier than other blocks meaning we need to keep a close eye on the vineyards for signs of stress (as there is less water retention in these soils). Careful crop selection is applied throughout the growing season to ensure the vines are in an optimal state of balance.

IN THE CELLAR
All bunches follow our standard processing protocol of double sorting by hand: first whole-bunch sorting, followed by de-stemming, then berry sorting. The grapes were then gently crushed, just to perforate the skin and release some juice. The grapes were cold soaked in the stainless-steel tank for 5 days to extract colour and flavour before undergoing alcoholic fermentation. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine is drained and the remaining solids are pressed – these fractions are transferred into French oak barrels and matured for 22months separately. This wine was bottled in December 2023.

IN THE BOTTLE
Nose: Black plum, graphite, red and black currants, mulberry
Palate: An intensely concentrated wine bursting with red and black fruit in its introduction. Prominent plum and cherry notes with seamless oak integration, giving subtle notes of cedar and cigar box. The tannins are well-structured yet silky.
Body: Medium plus – full
Suggested ageing: 8-10+ years

Additional information