Berlucchi
Palazzo Lana Extreme
Berlucchi’s excellence is born of curiosity and deep friendship. In 1955, Guido Berlucchi, a successful landowner in the Franciacorta region, approached the young enologist and consultant, Franco Ziliani, to improve his still wines. Then, Ziliani came to Berlucchi with the question: what if we were to make a sparkling wine as the French do? Berlucchi, who was eager to first improve the viability of his Pinot del Castello, offered his property and support to this pioneering experiment. After a number of unsatisfactory vintages, the two men’s partnership produced the first shining vintage of their classic method sparkling wine, the 1961 “Pinot di Franciacorta.” In 1967, Franciacorta became a recognized designation of origin for Italian wine, with Berlucchi leading the way.
Unencumbered by generations of expectation and tradition, Berlucchi succeeded at crafting an elevated sparkling wine, tailored to Italian standards of excellence. They will undoubtedly continue to brighten the palates and parties of bubbly lovers well beyond the region of Franciacorta.
Awarded Gambero Rosso Winery of the Year 2022.
Tasting Notes
COLOR: rich, copper-tinged straw-yellow. BOUQUET: broad and generous with hints of tropical fruit, peaches, candied orange peel and crusty bread. PALATE: displays exceptional freshness, crisp flavor and structure with harmonious acidity and mineral notes, making the wine extremely lingering and long-lived.
Cultivation
The harvest period occurs during the middle ten days of August. Average yield of 8000kg of grapes per hectare with 30% must yield (equivalent to 3200 bottles per hectare).
Vinification
Vinification is made from free-run must that is obtained by gentle, gradual pressing. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and small lots are then transferred to oak barriques. The juice ages in these barriques for 6 months.
Aging
Assemblage of the cuvee is done in the spring following harvest with only the wine from that specific vintage. Selecting only the finest juice, a second fermentation takes place in the bottles and matures on the lees for a minimum of 7 years with an additional 6 months after disgorgement.
Press
2010:
93 points - James Suckling
92 points - Wine Enthusiast
92 points - Wine Spectator
2009:
93 points - Wine Spectator
93 points - James Suckling
92 points - Wine Enthusiast
91 points - Antonio Galloni
2008:
93 points - James Suckling
92 points - Wine Enthusiast
APPELLATION
DOCG Franciacorta
VARIETAL
100% Pinot Nero
ABV
12.5%
PHILOSOPHY
Organic