IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE IGT TOSCANA 2022
WE WILL REMEMBER THE 2022 GRAPES FOR THE VERY SMALL BERRIES, WHICH FORCED DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S WINEMAKERS TO CHANGE THEIR USUAL WORKPLAN.
The grapes were perfectly ripe but small, with thick, quite hard skins. Therefore, after removing the stems, the grapes were crushed. The vinification was the most delicate ever, and after fermentation, the newly born wine remained on the grape skins in closed vats much longer than usual. At the same time, the arrival of the new barrels was brought forward so that the 2022 wine could be transferred to oak containers in November.
These seemingly small changes are actually very important and able to smoothen the tannins that were abundant in the wine. The result is a powerful, harmonious, and pleasant IGT Toscana Il Drago e le 8 Colombe, a wine that beautifully captures the Tuscan countryside and the hot, dry vintage in which it was born. A wine with great personality that pairs well with Tuscan cuisine, Asian dishes, and brunches featuring cold cuts and cheeses.
IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE: A WINE DEDICATED TO MEN IN THE WOMEN’S WINERY
Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s wineries—Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda—are the first in Italy to have an entirely female staff. The cellar workers, winemakers, sales staff, and tourist reception staff are all women. But there are important male figures in the company and in Donatella’s family, and she felt the need to dedicate a wine to them: Il Drago e le 8 Colombe. The doves are the all-female wine team, and the dragon is the most important man in Donatella’s life: it was her husband, Carlo Gardini, and is now her grandson, Lorenzo.
SUPERTUSCAN – IGT TOSCANA IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE
Il Drago e le 8 Colombe is a “Supertuscan,” meaning an IGT Toscana wine that doesn’t belong to any denomination but was created through the creativity of Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s winemakers. Tuscan IGTs are known internationally as Supertuscans.
It’s a blend of three different grape varieties that are vinified and aged separately in barrel before being blended for the bottling. The Sangiovese lends elegance, the Merlot adds pleasantness, and the Sagrantino enhances the structure.
The grapes come from the Fattoria del Colle vineyards, and the entire production is certified organic.
In the Fattoria del Colle cellar, visitors can see the vat room where Il Drago e le 8 Colombe is vinified, as well as the barrels where it ages. Those seeking a more immersive experience can become a “Winemaker for a Day” and produce their own blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Sagrantino, using graduated cylinders and tasting like true winemakers. At the end of this experience, they receive a certificate and their own bottle of Super Tuscan to enjoy with friends (advance reservation required).
DESCRIPTION OF Il DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE IGT TOSCANA 2022
TYPE: ORGANIC dry red
PRODUCTION AREA: Tuscany, Trequanda, Fattoria del Colle, 400 m above sea level with Neo-Quaternary soils characterized by clay and sandstone.
CLASSIFICATION: IGT Toscana Rosso
VINTAGE CHARACTERISTICS: A hot and very dry year. Seven months with almost no rain were interrupted by a major storm on August 18th. The rain greatly helped the vines in the ripening phase.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino
HARVEST: Mid-September for the Merlot. The Sangiovese grapes were picked at the end of September, immediately followed by the Sagrantino. These clusters were small, sparse, and perfectly ripe, with small berries.
The harvest was done by hand, with the bunches selected in the vineyard and the berries sorted on a vibrating sorting table in the cellar.
VINIFICATION: In temperature-controlled steel vats. The grape skins were very thick, prompting the cellar staff to press them after destemming. Vinification was regular but extremely gentle, so as not to increase the must’s naturally high tannin content. Macerations were extended, and the arrival of the new barrels was brought forward.
AGEING: 18 months in large barrels and 5-7 hl French oak tonneaux.
QUANTITY: 10,600 bottles
SENSORY ANALYSIS
COLOUR: Intense and brilliant ruby red. The wine reveals its robust structure in its very slow movement in the glass.
AROMA: Very rich and intense. Reminiscent of ripe red fruits and spicy notes deriving from aging in oak barrels.
TASTE: A juicy, enveloping, and velvety intensity in which the evident tannins appear well balanced by the alcohol and fruit. The finish is long and savoury.
WINE AT THE TABLE
FOOD PAIRING: A gastronomic wine to pair with Tuscan dishes such as Florentine steak or aged pecorino cheese and cold cuts, as well as Indian and Chinese dishes.
SERVING SUGGESTION: A wine suitable for celebrating special occasions as well as for enjoying simple brunches. Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) in wide-bowled crystal glasses.
CELLARING: 25 years and more. Store bottles flat in a cool, dark place