Rietine Profile

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Fine Wines Importer

Richmond, VA

Rietine

The Vineyards of Rietine

Southerly exposed vineyards are on land 1,476 feet above sea level and are considered without question to be one of the best areas in Chianti Classico.

The property is currently composed of 19.76 acres in Chianti Classics DOCG and Riserva; 4.94 acres Tiziano; 4.41 acres White Wine and Vinsanto; and 19.76 acres of Olive Trees. The vineyard consists of: 3500 vines (old plantings) per 2.47 acres and 5500 vines (new plantings) per 2.47 acres. Owner, Mario Gaffuri-Lazarides, an

d his wife, Galina, personally oversee all aspects of administration and production to assure their high standards are met, consistantly.

In the fields, vines are pruned in the "simple Guyot" way. Fertilization methods are exclusively biological and the use of chemicals are minimized through painstaking, intensive, "hands-on" field work by a trained staff. If Messr. Gaffuri-Lazarides finds the grape bunches too large, in July, they will be thinned (Green picking). In August the vines are de-leafed and the entire bunches exposed for optimal ventilation of the grapes. These important details are only possible because production at Rietine is very well controlled and personal pride is evident in every phase.

Chianti Classico, Riserva and Tiziano are selected and with care placed in 10kg plastic crates and re-checked to avoid the possibility bad grapes will be delivered to the cellar. The grape bunches are de-stemmed, gently pressed, and the juice pumped to the fermentation tanks where the fermentation process is started immediately. Naturally the fermentation time varies: Chianti Classics at 28 deg.C. approximately 12 days; Riserva at 26 deg.C. approximately 16 days; Tiziano at 23 deg.C. approximately 18 days. Tasting tests are conducted daily to determine when the young wine can be separated from the mash. The maturation period varies with each wine, to achieve the finest results.

Maturation Process

Casks

Type of Wood

Cask Capacity

Duration

Chianti Classico

Slovenia Oak

5,000 L.

16 months

Riserva

French Oak

1,700 L.

_8 months

Tiziano

French Oak

228 L.

14 months

Characteristics of Select Rietine Wines

Chianti Classico DOCG 1996

Grape Types:

85% Sangiovese, 8% Cannaiolo and Colorino, 7% Merlot.

Color:

Intense ruby red with good concentration.

Bouquet:

Pronounced, typical notes, iris, wild berries.

Taste:

Well-structured, mild and harmonic, best reflecting the terroir of Rietine. Persistent finnish.

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 1994

Grape Types:

100% Sangiovese

Color:

Deep, intensive ruby red.

Bouquet:

Complex nose with pronounced aromatic notes like vanilla, coffee and wild berries.

Taste:

Outstanding structure full and long-lasting, round and silky, tannin well-supported by the wood, long-clinging finnish.

Tiziano 1994

Grape Types:

50% Merlot, 50% Lambrusco

Color:

Intensive ruby red, nearly opaque.

Bouquet:

Fine deep-based nose with wood, red berries, cassis, a hint of vanilla and roast coffee.

Taste:

Full, velvet-smooth, well-structured, well-bound tannins, a brilliant aging potentcy, a wine with a growing future.

Bianco di Rietine 1997

Grape Types:

70% Trebbiano, 30% Malvasia of Chianti (Barrel-aged)

Color:

Light straw yellow color.

Bouquet:

In the nose frail aromas like citrus frail, acacia with undertones of almonds are noticed.

Taste:

Very well structured, full and harmonic, long-lasting finish.

For More Information Contact:

E.C. Robins International, Inc.
9878 Mayland Drive
Richmond, VA 23233 USA
Tel: 804.935.7220
FAX: 804.935.7226