2021 Antinori Cervaro della Sala Umbria

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 growing season started out with cold winter weather and normal spring conditions. The beginning of April, when budbreak was well underway, brought a sudden drop in temperatures resulting in lower yields but fortunately did not have any adverse effects on the quality of the fruit. The vines’ vegetative cycle was pushed back by about two weeks. May saw limited rainfall with cool temperatures. Summer brought bountiful sunshine and good temperature fluctuations between day and night that allowed the vines to make up for the initial delay and provided perfect conditions for optimal cluster ripening. Beautiful weather from August onward allowed for the berries to be picked at just the right time to obtain the finest expression of varietal aromas.

Chardonnay grapes for Cervaro della Sala, exceptional in quality but lower in yields, were harvested starting the third week of August. Grapes were perfectly healthy, at optimal ripeness with excellent freshness and an outstanding aromatic profile. Grechetto berries were harvested 15 days later, towards mid-September.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "This is very aromatic and lifted with mineral, nougat, floral, and lightly cooked apples. Some flint and matchstick. Medium- to full-bodied with a fine phenolic and acid backbone that energizes the wine. Complex aftertaste with subtle fruit and pastry at the end. This will age beautifully but hard not to drink now."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "This wine is mostly Chardonnay with about 7% Grechetto. The presence of the Grechetto has declined quite a bit over the past couple of vintages. Given these tweaks to the winemaking formula, the 2021 Cervaro della Sala promises an exceptionally crisp and linear presentation with salty mineral tones, lots of stone fruit and tart apple. No malolactic fermentation or oak is used on the Umbrian grape that always adds a hint of rusticity and Umbrian authenticity. However, the Chardonnay is fermented in oak and aged in both new and used barrel. In light of climate change, work is being completed to reduce vineyard density, with new plantings going in at 3,500 vines per hectare, down from 5,500 vines per hectare like we saw in the past. 96+"


Vinous - "The Cervaro della Sala 2021 comes to life in the glass: gravel, oyster shells and damp earth merge with lemon oil, green apple and hints of camomile. This is pure elegance, with a silky, almost creamy texture and brilliant acidity. A salty minerality adds tremendous depth to the baked apple and spice notes. The finish is crisp and long with a hint of citrus, while notes of custard and nectarine slowly fade away. This is a dramatic Cervaro della Sala that has amazing balance. It will be fascinating to watch it mature over the coming years."