Warm, austere and powerful wine

Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon
VARIETALS

I BALZINI BLACK LABEL
IGP Colli della Toscana Centrale

Warm, austere and powerful wine of an intense and dense red, with purple highlights. The aroma is strong and complex, characterized by the fusion of the Cabernet and Merlot notes. The bouquet also has notes of coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, and leather. On the palate, the structure of sweet entangled tannins produces pleasurable velvety sensations, while the aftertaste is dominated by aromatic notes.

TECHNICAL SHEET

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR
A very intense ruby red with purple highlights.

AROMA
Intense and elegant in its fused notes of fruit and spice, evident the aromas of black berry fruit, blackberries and blueberries, along with notes of vanilla, tobacco, and chocolate.

FLAVOR
Very full-bodied and very complex and elegant. The structuring tannins are well present, dense and very velvety. The flavors are very long and persistent with a highly pleasurable aftertaste which extends the notes of the nose and palate.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR
A very intense ruby red with purple highlights.

AROMA
Intense and elegant in its fused notes of fruit and spice, evident the aromas of black berry fruit, blackberries and blueberries, along with notes of vanilla, tobacco, and chocolate.

GRAPES AND CULTIVATION

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Soil: Of Pliocene origin, sedimentary formations characterized by the presence of alternating strata of yellow sands and clay with a notable presence of marine fossils.

Micro-climate: Warm and temperate with average to elevated precipitation, cold winters and warm to very warm summers and particularly sunny late afternoons and sunsets given the precise western exposure

Exposure: Southwestwards with a north to south orientation of the vine rows.

Vineyard work: A working of the soil alternated with a cover crop along with a cordon de Royat training system. Crop thinning during the growing season and a final selection of the crop: during the hand picking, the bunches are placed in small packing cases and are selected on a belt as they are about to be pressed.

FERMENTATION

Two weeks of skin contact at 79° -81° Fahrenheit (26°-28° centigrade) and a complete malolactic fermentation.
Aging: For 12-14 months in small French oak barrels followed an 18 month period of bottle aging before commercial release.

Suggestions: A wine with an important aging potential, over 20 years, to be tasted in ample and capacious
crystal stemware at a temperature between 61° and 65° Fahrenheit (16°-18° centigrade)

With food: The meat dishes of the grand cuisine, game; an excellent match as well with aged cheese.

OENOLOGIST’S NOTES

Our Mediterranean Bordeaux, with strong and mature fruitiness and balsamic notes. A high-quality baritone, in which richness is never unrestrained, but rather perfect for aging.

BACK TO WINES

GRAPES AND CULTIVATION

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Soil: Of Pliocene origin, sedimentary formations characterized by the presence of alternating strata of yellow sands and clay with a notable presence of marine fossils.

Exposure: Southwestwards with a north to south orientation of the vine rows.

FERMENTATION

Suggestions: A wine with an important aging potential, over 20 years, to be tasted in ample and capacious
crystal stemware at a temperature between 61° and 65° Fahrenheit (16°-18° centigrade)

With food: The meat dishes of the grand cuisine, game; an excellent match as well with aged cheese.

OENOLOGIST’S NOTES

Our Mediterranean Bordeaux, with strong and mature fruitiness and balsamic notes. A high-quality baritone, in which richness is never unrestrained, but rather perfect for aging.

BACK TO WINES

Awards
and Guides

AWARDS AND GUIDES

Duemilavini / Bibenda
2017 – 4 bunches
2016 – 4 bunches
2015 – 5 bunches
2014 – 4 bunches
2013 – 5 bunches
2012 – 4 bunches
2011 – 4 bunches
2010 – 4 bunches
2009 – 4 bunches
2008 – 4 bunches
2007 – 4 bunches
2006 – 4 bunches
2005 – 4 bunches
2004 – 4 bunches
2003 – 4 bunches
2002 – 4 bunches
2001 – 4 bunches
2000 – 4 bunches
1999 – 4 bunches

Guida Vitae Ais
2017 – 4 branches
2016 – 3 1/2 branches
2015 – 4 branches
2014 – 3 branches
2013 – 4 branches
2012 – 4 branches
2011 – 3 branches

Wine Spectator
2009 – 86/100
2008 – 91/100
2007 – 88/100
2006 – 92/100
2005 – 88/100
2004 – 88/100
2003 – 90/100
2002 – 91/100
2001 – 90/100
2000 – 90/100
1998 – 88/100

James Suckling Wine Guide
2017 – 92/100
2016 – 92/100
2015 – 94/100
2014 – 91/100
2013 – 93/100
2012 – 94/100
2011 – 92/100
2009 – 93/100
2008 – 92/100

I vini di Veronelli

2017 – 93/100 3 stars
2016 – 94/100 3 stars
2015 – 93/100 3 stars
2014 – 94/100 3 superior stars
2013 – 95/100 3 superior stars
2012 – 93/100 3 stars
2011 – 94/100 3 superior stars
2010 – 94/100 3 superior stars
2009 – 93/100 3 superior stars
2008 – 93/100 3 superior stars
2007 – 92/100 3 stars
2006 – 93/100
2005 – 92/100 3 superior stars
2004 – 93/100 3 superior stars
2003 – 91/100 3 superior stars
2002 – 91/100 3 stars
2001 – 92/100 3 stars
2000 – 91/100 3 stars
1999 – 91/100
1998 – 91/100

Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani Luca Maroni
2017 – 91/100
2016 – 92/100
2015 – 94/100
2014 – 96/100, Third Best Red Wine of Italy according to the Luca Maroni 2018 guide
2013 – 92/100
2012 – 90/100
2011 – 92/100
2010 – 88/100
2009 – 88/100
2008 – 88/100
2007 – 87/100
2006 – 87/100
2005 – 89/100
2004 – 89/100
2003 – 89/100
2002 – 90/100
2001 – 88/100
2000 – 87/100
1999 – 84/100

The Wine Hunter
2017 – Gold Medal at Merano International Wine Festival 2020
2016 – Red Stamp at Merano International Wine Festival 2019
2015 – Gold Medal at Merano International Wine Festival 2018
2014 – Red Stamp at Merano International Wine Festival 2017
2013 – Red Stamp at Merano International Wine Festival 2016
2007 – Selezione: High Quality Final Wine Tasting al Merano International Wine Festival 2010
2001 – Selezione: High Quality Final Wine Tasting al Merano International Wine Festival 2005
2000 – Selezione: High Quality Final Wine Tasting al Merano International Wine Festival 2004

Decnter World Wine Awards
2013 – Commended at Decanter World Wine Awards 2016
2012 – Bronze Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2015
2011 – Commended at Decanter World Wine Awards 2014
2010 – Bronze Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2013
2005 – Bronze Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2009
2004 – Bronze Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2008
2001 – Bronze Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2006

Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards
2015 – Gold Medal at Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2019
2014 – Silver Medal at Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2018
2013 – Silver Medal atSakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2017
2012 – Silver Medal at Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2016
2011 – Silver Medal at Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2015

Concorso Mundial du Bruxelles
2012 – Silver Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2016
2008 – Silver Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2012
2001 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2005

Women’s Wine&Spirits Award
2015 – Silver Medal at Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards 2019

Vinitaly Enologico Internazionale
2006 – Diploma of Special Mention at the 18th International Wine Competition VINITALY 2010
2005 – Diploma of Special Mention at the 17th International Wine Competition VINITALY 2009
2001 – Diploma of Special Mention at the 16th International Wine Competition VINITALY 2005
2000 – Diploma of Special Mention at the 12th International Wine Competition VINITALY 2004

The International Wine & Spirit Competition Londra
2005 – Silver Medal at The International Wine & Spirit Competition Londra 2009
2002 – Silver Medal (Best Class) at The International Wine & Spirit Competition Londra 2007
2000 – Gold Medal at The International Wine & Spirit Competition Londra 2007

AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
2005 – Silver Medal at AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2009
2004 – Silver Medal at AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2008
2003 – Gold Medal at AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2007
2002 – Silver Medal at AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2006

Cina Wine & Spirits Awords
2013 – Bronze Medal at Cina Wine & Spirits Awords 2016

Challenge International Du Vin Bordeaux
2012 – Silver Medal at Challenge International Du Vin Bordeaux 2016
2007 – Bronze Medal at Challenge International Du Vin Bordeaux 2011
2005 – Gold Medal at Challenge International Du Vin Bordeaux 2009

L’Espresso Vini D’Italia
2012 – 16,5/20
2011 – 16,5/20
2010 – 15,5/20
2009 – 17,5/20
2008 – 16/20
2007 – 16,5/20
2003 – 15,5/20
2002 – 15/20
2001 – 16/20
2000 – 15,5/20
1999 – 14,5/20
1998 – 14,5/20

Ian D’agata
2011 – 89/100

Slow Wine
Selected in the 2014 edition guide
Selected in the 2013 edition guide
Selected in the 2012 edition guide

Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia
2017 – 2 glasses
2016 – 2 glasses
2013 – 2 glasses
2012 – 2 glasses
2011 – 2 glasses
2010 – 2 glasses
2009 – 2 glasses
2008 – 2 glasses
2007 – 2 glasses
2006 – 2 glasses
2005 – 2 glasses
2004 – 1 glass
2003 – 2 glasses
2002 – 1 glass
2001 – 2 glasses
2000 – 2 glasses
1999 – 2 glasses
1998 – 1 glass