Castiglion del Bosco is one of the most prominent producers in Montalcino, both for the history of the estate and for its size, with 5,000 acres unchanged in the last 400 years. In 1967, when the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino was born, Castiglion del Bosco was one of its 25 founding members. This extraordinary property whose origin dates back to the 12th century was acquired by Massimo Ferragamo in 2003, who in turn totally restored the property to its original glory.

Rosso Gauggiole Cru is a young, refreshing sangiovese. It is the cherry-pick of grapes from different parcels of one single vineyard and it is the highest expression of the area’s potential, emphasizing the finesse that Castiglion del Bosco strives to bestow upon its finest wines. The name derives from the location of the vineyards, historically titled after the farmstead of the same name. Soils in this are fresh and not overly clayey, and the northeast exposure mitigates the power and heat that are typical of vineyards. 

Harvest of Rosso Gauggiole 2018 took place during the third week of September. Grapes underwent a first selection in the vineyard, where the cluster were handpicked into 15kg boxes, and then a second one on the sorting table. Fermentation took place at controlled temperature. The wine started the vinification in stainless steel tanks for 6 months and then continued in concrete tanks for 18 months to preserve the primary aromas that the vineyard itself enhances. These choices have led to a wine that communicates a fresh and  crisp fruitiness. After bottling, the wine aged a further 4 months prior to release.

The 2018 vintage was characterized by abundant rainfall during the spring, above the average. Rosso Gauggiole 2018 expresses the characteristics due to this particular climate, underlining the olfactory matrix that the selection of vineyards in the Gauggiole area gives us. It has clear and fragrant aromas with citrus note and hints of violet. In the mouth it is characterized by a vibrant acidity that enhances the body and its smooth round tannins.

The 2018 vintage has been a challenge for everyone, both man and vines. The fresh and rainy spring made the plants vegetation very intense. The management of the green required a lot of attention and work to allow the plant to have the necessary vegetative balance. These weather conditions continued during the first part of summer, which was characterized by cool days and heavy rains. The end of summer was hot and dry and allowed a good maturation, even if slightly earlier than the usual. Grapes showed excellent acidity and rather low sugar content, perfect for the more fresh and vibrant wines.