Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2021

2021 was a very good vintage. After a somewhat rainy autumn 2020 with mildtemperatures, the winter was instead very harsh, especially due to the arrival of the polar "Burian" which caused the column of the mercury below zero. A favorable situation that allowed the vegetative stop of the vines and helped to naturally eliminate most of the insects harmful to the vine. However, after a first timid beginning of spring towards the end of March, with a rise in temperatures that caused the buds of the more precautious vines to swell (such as Sangiovese and Merlot), a disturbance of cold air of Atlantic origin reported intense cold with temperatures close to zero ° C. This condition has compromised some primary buds of the early vines, causing a loss of production. The rest of the spring was somewhat rainy until mid-May, when beautiful sunny days arrived. June was fairly regular, while July was hot and dry. The high temperatures required an intervention with kaolin (caolino), to protect the leaves from the sun rays and avoid stress to the plants. The dry heat characterized the first middle of August, but on August 16 th a Balkan disturbance brought rain and stabilized temperatures on the seasonal norm. This change was providential and allowed the vines to recover, favoring the phenolic ripening of the grapes. The ripening was perfect, and the harvest took place at a good pace and during the cooler hours of the day. The grapes reached a perfect ripeness without sugary excesses and with a beautiful pulp and well lignified seeds. The hand-picked grapes arrived in the cellar with a quality level well above all expectations. Respectable acidity and PH and a beautiful balance of musts, a good structure but harmonious and fruity at the same time. The wines are pleasant with a non-invasive structure, a good balance in terms of acidity and density, combined with soft and well-integrated tannins. Beautiful spiciness.