2019
EXCLUSIVE TO CORNEY & BARROW IN THE UK, SINGAPORE, THAILAND & CHINA
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Lodovico Antinori
LODOVICO 2019
Bibbona, in coastal Tuscany’s Upper Maremma, is the home of a special plot of vines: Vigna Lodovico.
The Tenuta di Biserno estate was established in 2007. Lodovico is its top wine and one of Italy’s most exciting examples of Cabernet Franc.
Vigna Lodovico. A single plot of six hectares, discovered in 1995 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, who originally intended it as part of Ornellaia. It soon became apparent that these hilly, rocky slopes had a personality of their own, capable of making something unique.
Lodovico Antinori. The creator of Ornellaia and Masseto, scion of the Tuscan winemaking dynasty. Following the sale of Ornellaia in 2002, Lodovico, together with his brother Marchese Piero Antinori, founded this new estate. It is a personal project, very personal in fact, dedicated to the next generation, Lodovico’s daughter Sophia.
Cabernet Franc. The great wines built around Cabernet Franc are an exclusive club. When given full rein to express itself, in the corners of the world in which it thrives, this is a grape capable of making world class wines.
Lodovico is one of them. This Tuscan treasure has, in 2019, once again turned in a wine to set itself apart from the crowd – one that combines innate power with astonishing elegance.
GUY SEDDON Head of Fine Wine Buying October 20233
THE VINEYARD: VIGNA LODOVICO
Among coastal Tuscany’s vinous secrets are its cool nights and startlingly intense light. Summer days are picture postcard perfect, white light reflecting off an azure sea, whilst nights can be crisp and refreshing.
Vigna Lodovico’s soils are a mix of clay and the mineralrich ‘Bolgheri conglomerate’. Cabernet Franc here has more in common with the right bank of Bordeaux than the Loire, although its aromatic delicacy evokes shades of both. Some vines of Petit Verdot and Merlot provide the merest seasoning.
Vigna Lodovico was planted in 2002, at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare. The vines are pruned to form spur cordons, trained on trellises. Grass between the rows restricts the vines’ natural vigour.
“We have long known that certain parcels are perfectly suited to the cultivation of Cabernet Franc, but we only relatively recently discovered one special area, Vigna Lodovico, which yields remarkable results.”
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LODOVICO ANTINORI
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THE CELLAR
Grapes are selected on a vibrating sorting table, then de-stemmed and gently crushed.
Fermentation takes place at 28˚C in stainless steel tanks, following which 80% of the wine undergoes malolactic conversion in oak barrels, the remainder in stainless steel.
Lodovico is aged for 16 months in 80% new French oak barriques, 20% one year old. It is bottled and released after a further 12 months.
THE 2019 GROWING SEASON
Lodovico described 2019 as “a moderate year”. Spring saw consistent rainfall and temperatures slightly below average. The arrival of summer warmth in early June spurred the vines into action, slightly later than usual.
Summer temperatures were close to the average, with Bibbona’s all-important fluctuations between day and night. Harvest was unhurried and precise, starting on 11th September and finishing on 5th October.
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TASTING NOTE
LODOVICO 2019
Deep ruby colour. Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant leaf and iron filings. The palate’s rich dark berry fruit is refreshed by bright acidity. Earthy minerality complements the fine tannic chassis. Bibbona’s natural richness is rendered wonderfully elegant by poised freshness and outstanding precision. Picked between 11th September and 5th October. Fermented in stainless steel vats at 28°C. 80% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, the remainder in stainless steel. 14.5% abv.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025 - 2040
£1,095/Case of 3 bottles, in bond UK
£765/Case of 1 magnum, in bond UK
£1,525/Case of 1 double magnum, in bond UK
Tasting Guide
Our tasting notes provide full details but, at your request, we have also introduced a clear and simple marking system. We hope these guidelines assist you in your selection. For the benefit of simplicity, wines are scored out of 20. We will often use a range of scores (e.g. 16.5 to 17) to indicate the potential to achieve a higher mark. When a ‘+’ is shown it adds further to that potential. Wines from lesser vintages will, inevitably, show a lower overall score.
Wines are judged, in a very broad sense, against their peers. Why? Well, you cannot easily compare a Ford with an Aston Martin, other than they are both cars and have wheels. It is not that different with wine. A score is a summary only. The devil is in the detail, so please focus on the tasting notes and, as always, speak to our sales team.
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