Rosso Piceno Superiore, “Podere 72”
Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC is not only a style variation but a much smaller zone in the Rosso Piceno appellation. The vineyards must be in the area around the 13 most southern towns of the Marche region. The standards were set because it is here that is “perfect for grapevine cultivation” according to the regulating body. The percentages of the two main varietals are: Montepulciano (35 to 85%) and Sangiovese (15 to 50%). Other authorized non-aromatic red varietals can be used but can make up no more than 15%, on their own or jointly.
The vineyards considered to be suitable must have an appropriate exposure, proper drainage and must not be located at the bottom of the valley. The maximum production of grapes per hectare must not be more than 12 tons, the wine must have a minimum natural alcohol content by volume of 11.5%, and the Rosso Piceno Superiore wines must be aged for at least one year: they cannot be put on the marketplace before November 1st of the year after the crush.
Appellation: Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC
Type: Red, dry
Blend: 50% Montepulciano, 50% Sangiovese
Certified Organic
Color: Dense ruby red color with purple hues.
Bouquet: Pure and clean aromas with a prevalence of berries, especially red berries.
Taste: A wine of good structure and elegance with excellent equilibrium on the nose and the palate.
Pairing: Meat roasts, grilled steak.
Vineyard: 500 feet a.s.l. on a western exposure.
Vine density: 1,800 vine per acre. Average vines age: 36 years old.
Training System: Guyot.
Soil: Mainly calcareous clay.
Vine density: 4000 vines per hectare (1,800 per acre).
Harvest: Hand picked first 10 days of October.
Yield: About 2.6 tons per acre
Vinification: Submerged cap with frequent daily pumpovers for a period of 6-8 days at 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit). Racking is followed by aging in oak barrels with natural malolactic fermentation.
Aging: Nine months in new and used French oak barrels followed by six months in the bottle.
Winemaker: Paolo Capriotti
2010 Rosso Piceno Superiore “Podere 72” – 89 Points – Vinous Media (Feb 2013)
“Poderi San Lazzaro’s 2010 Rosso Piceno Superiore Podere 72 (Montepulciano / Sangiovese) is striking in its beauty. Tobacco, grilled herbs, super-ripe dark cherries and smoke seem to jump from the glass. A hearty, rustic, yet beautifully balanced red, the 2010 is loaded with class and personality. There is a lot to like in this exuberant, full-bodied Marche red." ~ A.G.
