Aia Vecchia is the name of an old building which is today the centre of a company deep in the Tuscany countryside between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. This is an area where the particularly favorable microclimate and ideally suited soils make possible the production of very high quality wines. The particular position gives the vines very much light, both direct sunlight as sunlight reflected by the sea. This in general allows an early harvest.
The property consists of 69 hectares of open ground: 48 are vineyards, 30 of which are under the Bolgheri DOC. The planted varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are used to produce Lagone and Sor Ugo. The Morellino di Scansano is produced in the estate of Magliano in Toscana (Grosseto) which consists of 10 hectares planted with Sangiovese and Merlot grape varieties.
Both properties are owned by the Pellegrini family, grape growers in the area for several generations.
| Review |
| Wine Spectator: Has sweet berry and fresh herbs on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Tight now, but shows excellent potential. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2010. 10,800 cases made. -JS
Robert Parker: The estate’s 2006 Lagone is another very pretty wine from Aia Vecchia. All of the qualities that make 2006 a compelling vintage in Maremma are on display. Sweet, well-delineated aromatics lead to bright red fruits, spices and new leather. The wine shows impeccable balance and a long, harmonious finish underpinned by bright, focused acidity. This is easily one of the finest bottles of wine from Maremma in the under $20 price range. Lagone is 60% Merlot, 35 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc that spent 12 months in small oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. |
| Wine maker notes |
| "Lagone" Toscana IGT: 60% Merlot with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The vines are on the plains, between Bolgheri and the town of La California. Temperature-controlled fermentation, manual punch-down and pump-overs. Aged one year in barrique and a minimum of six months in bottle.
The wine has a warm, deep purplish-red color and aromas of Mediterranean wood. Its flavors of wild berries and juicy ripe cherries are balanced by spice notes, and an elegant structure and mellow mouthfeel. |
