
Signano Estate
San Gimignano rises on a hill 384 mt high and dominates the Elsa valley with the skyline of its 13 towers. The Manhattan like sky scrapers were built between the 12 and the 13th century. Not unlike today, the towers were a symbol of the economic powers of the noble families of that region.The Vernaccia vine has been growing in the charming hillsides which surround this middle-age town since 1200 ad. This is the vine for the production of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which for centuries has tempted popes, honored magnificent feasts of the renaissance princes, and has won a growing fame over time.
Because of Vernaccia di San Gimignano’s ancient tradition and unquestionable quality, the wine was the first to be awarded DOC recognition in 1966. Since 1993 the Vernaccia di San Gimignano has entered into the category of DOCG recognition. The Signano Estate began its activity in 1961, when the Biagini Family purchased a small plot of land of 4.5 Ha. in Signano. Prior to the planting of his first vineyard in Vernaccia, Ascanio earned a reputation as bailiff to a land-owner from Florence where he maintained a broad reputation for his knowledge of the vineyards and wines of the region. The first cellar was built in 1966 and the lands adjacent to it were purchased in the following years for vineyards.
The leased vineyards and olive groves create the present Estate that covers approximately 30 Ha. Most of the Estate is cultivated with Vernaccia, but 3 Ha. are dedicated to the production of Vin Santo (dessert wine) and 6 additional Ha. are used for the production of extra virgin olive oil. Today, the cellar has a capacity of 205,000 litres with an additional ninetyfive 100 litre oak casks for the maturation of Vin Santo.
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K Vitners The Hidden Syrah is made from 100 percent Syrah.
It is not a secret the magnitude this wine can reach. In this vintage, femininity reigns supreme. Perfume, flowers, cassis. All anchored to sense of place with stone, ancient soil and chanterelles that make this wine a wine of the earth.
Review:
Kirsch, ripe black cherries, roasted herbs, violets, and orange blossom notes all emerge from the 2018 The Hidden Syrah Northridge Vineyard, which is all Syrah brought up in neutral oak. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully polished, it packs loads of fruit yet stays light on its feet, with no sensation of heaviness. As with all of these Syrahs from Smith, it's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age.
-Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
Wine Production: 100% whole bunches undergo a natural yeast fermentation. The wine is then left on lees for a year, with just one handling into the blending tank before bottling. A small amount of Sulphur is added at this point. Wines are bottled without fining or filtration.
Tasting Notes: Spicy and stalky, it has the customary black and red berry notes of Cabernet with a perfumed freshness and medium body. Fine-grained tannins are tempered by the influence of some carbonic maceration in the ferment.
“Cabernet from a north-facing slope on Hans and Anna Orth's vineyard in Coldstream. 100% whole bunches, matured in hogsheads (10% new). A bit darker and denser than last year's wine but equally elegant and perfumed with its scents of blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry leaf and violets. Medium bodied with balanced, mouthcoating yet fine tannins. A lovely wine, more reminiscent of great cabernet franc than sauvignon.”
- James Halliday 96 Points
“Superbly delineated aromas of dried sage, cassis, bay leaves, green beans and mossy forest scents. 100% whole bunch without an ounce of edginess or astringency. This is gorgeous, medium-bodied, perfumed and succulent. There’s a gentle raft of tannins rather than a chunky heaviness. Not dissimilar to the levity and élan of top Loire cabernet franc. Delicious.”
-James Suckling 95 Points