In other words, no limits, a constantly evolving value. Like the exclusive commitment needed to make this Franciacorta dedicated to Annamaria Clementi, founder of Ca' del Bosco and Maurizio Zanella's mother. No compromises, no concessions. Only the finest grapes from the various crus are earmarked for this icon wine. And only in the finest years. Meticulous vinification and very lengthy bottle refinement at least seven years on yeasts. This is how a great wine is created, unique, magnificently golden and with ultra-fine perlage. Extraordinarily complex bouquet, exceptionally full and persistent taste. An absolute Franciacorta.
DESIGNATION: Franciacorta Riserva.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Chardonnay 55%, Pinot Bianco 25%, Pinot Nero 20%.
VINEYARDS OF PROVENANCE: 12 Chardonnay vineyards planted an average of 31 years ago located in the municipalities of Erbusco, Adro, Corte Franca, Iseo and Passirano.
2 Pinot Bianco vineyards planted an average of 26 years ago located in the municipality of Passirano.
4 Pinot Nero vineyards planted an average of 32 years ago located in the municipalities of Erbusco, Iseo and Passirano.
HARVEST PERIOD: First ten days of September 2010.
AVERAGE YIELD PER HECTARE: 7,600 kilograms of grapes, equivalent to 2,960 litres of wine (must-to-fruit ratio 39%).
VINIFICATION: Annamaria Clementi is the product of an unremitting quest for excellence in the vineyards as well as in the cellar. In line with the Ca’ del Bosco Method, the grapes are hand-picked and placed in small crates on which a code is immediately stamped, just before they are cold-stored. Each bunch is selected by expert eyes and hands, and then goes through our exclusive “berry spa,” a special whirlpool-like wash for grape bunches, consisting of three soaking tanks, followed by thorough drying. The base wines are obtained exclusively from free-run juice. Alcoholic fermentation takes place only in small oak casks, made of selected wood seasoned for a minimum of 3 years. There, the wine remains on its own lees for six more months, during which malolactic fermentation takes place. No compromises, no concessions are acceptable: only wine from the best barrels of the 18 base wines is drawn off to go into Annamaria Clementi. A pair of flying tanks transfers the wine by gravity flow from the barrels to the blending tank. Unhurried lees contact continues for more than eight years to shape the wine’s unique sensory profile. An absolute Franciacorta. Disgorgement takes place in the absence of oxygen using a unique system designed and patented by Ca’ del Bosco. The procedure avoids oxidative stress and the need for additional sulfites, making Ca’ del Bosco Franciacortas purer, more appealing and longer lived. Finally, every bottle is marked individually to ensure its traceability.
TIRAGE: April 2011.
MATURATION SUR LIES: For an average of 9 years.
DOSAGE AT DISGORGEMENT: No added liqueur - Dosage Zéro.
ANALITYCAL DATA AT DISGORGEMENT: Alcohol 12.8% Vol.; pH 3.09; Total Acidity 6.60 grams/litre; Volatile Acidity 0.48 grams/litre.
SULPHITES: Total Sulphur Dioxide less than 55 milligrams/litre (maximum legal limit: 185 milligrams/litre)