Riserva Storica dei Sangiovesi di Romagna in Bertinoro
VINTAGE CHART OF ROMAGNA:
SANGIOVESE
Working group: Filippo Apollinari, Francesco Bordini, Remigio Bordini, Franco Calini,
Cristina Geminiani, Giovanna Madonia, Giorgio Melandri, Mauro Sirri, Giovanni Solaroli.
Summary and texts: Giorgio Melandri
Vintages of Sangiovese di Romagna received a star rating out of five, ranging from poor (*)
to exceptional (*****).
1990. *****
A great year, characterised by early shoot growth and a sunny and hot summer. Harvest
was carried out in ideal conditions, during warm and sunny days. Wines have a good
structure and high acidity, they are balanced and long-lasting as a whole.
1991. **
Minor vintage, rainy during the second half of the summer. Wines are fresh, but the
tannic texture is not strong.
1992. *
Rainy year, the quality of grapes was compromised and wines have weak tannins.
1993. ***
Quite warm vintage. Grapes have accumulated sugars in the last period of ripening and
lost acidity. In general, wines have longevity even though tannins are quite round.
1994. **
Not very interesting vintage, rainy in spring and wet in summer. Rains at the end of
August have compromised full ripening of the grapes.
1995. ****
Cool summer and late grape ripening. The diverse soils reacted differently and some
gave deep and long lasting wines. Some Reserves have elegant and austere features.
Riserva Storica dei Sangiovesi di Romagna
Piazza della Libertà 10, 47032 Bertinoro (FC) - Segreteria: tel 347 1395224 email info@bertinorowines.it
1996. **
Difficult vintage, unusual summer and frequent rains in September.
1997. ***
Warm as a whole, Sangiovese di Romagna gained harmony and rapid settlement and
maturation. The ageing potential does not seem extraordinary, but positive surprises are
likely.
1998. *****
Interesting vintage, cool but not cold. Wines have an exceptional ageing potential and
are deep, savoury and austere in the mouth. Sangiovese has deep, ripe, elegant tannins.
Good acidity, that gives strength.
1999. ***
Warm summer, but not too hot; rains at the end of August and beginning of September.
Balanced, very drinkable wines with regular tannins, pleasing and smooth in the mouth.
This vintage, although lacking some depth and character, has a high aging potential,
higher than initially thought.
2000. ****
A year very diverse according to the area, with smooth and soft tannins. After a warm
spring, a dry and favourable summer followed. Interesting wines, some Reserves were
considered exceptionally good, even though in the early '90 the search for elegance and
freshness was not considered necessary.
2001. *****
The spring of 2001 inherited soils with great amounts of water from the winter, which
were very useful for hot July and August. In the first week of September drizzles brought
a decrease in temperatures and high diurnal temperature variations. That is why
ripening did not occur too early and grapes were healthy, ripe and balanced. Sangiovese
of 2001 vintage represents balance and structure and has fine, ripe tannins and an
elegant mouth. A great vintage for Sangiovese of Romagna.
2002. **
Year with frequent rainfalls and many days below the average temperature, resulting in
longer ripening period and grapes with weaker tannins, less colour and aroma. The
agronomic care of vineyards and their age were determinant. As a whole, Sangiovese are
less deep than usual (many Reserves were not produced) but there are wonderful elegant
surprises.
2003. *
Even though in winter it rained a lot, this vintage features widespread water stress due
to exceptionally hot temperatures that hindered common photosynthetic activity. Wines
Riserva Storica dei Sangiovesi di Romagna
Piazza della Libertà 10, 47032 Bertinoro (FC) - Segreteria: tel 347 1395224 email info@bertinorowines.it
are rich in alcohol, lacking a fresh and lively palate and tannins are green and
aggressive. It is important to say that products are quite different according to
microclimates (higher vineyards benefited from cooler nights) and specific soils (good
results on clayey soils) and the best wines were achieved where harvest did not took place
before mid to second half of October, when climate was perfect: resumption of rainfall
activity, medium-low temperatures at night, high diurnal temperature variations and
milder climate.
2004. ****
After two extreme vintages, balance is stricken again: 2004 can be defined the ideal
vintage according to weather and agronomic conditions. In May and June rains
accompanied the bud break, helping to complete shoot growth, flowering and fruit set.
July and August were regularly sunny and warm, but never above 32-33°C, the ideal
temperature for photosynthesis. High diurnal temperature variations and lack of rain in
September and October. Anyway the 2003 drought reduced the accumulation of reserve
substances and took its toll on some vines. As a whole, wines in this vintage are formally
excellent, balanced and harmonic, but may be lacking personality and character common
in exceptional vintages. Good ageing potential.
2005. **
Winter snowfalls delayed shoot growth. In May and June rainfalls were recorded, thus
improving growth. Mild and sunny weather from May to August. The end of the summer
was instead difficult and harvest was complicated. The result is thin, not too deep
Sangiovese with good acidity. There are pleasant surprises as for elegance, austerity and
minerality.
2006. ****
Abundant rains in spring contributed to accumulate water reserves and allowed regular
-sometimes exuberant- shoot growth. Hot temperatures in July, moderated by rainfalls
at the beginning of August. At the end of the summer, when vines were a little late in
development, two months of optimal climate: sun shining, breezes mitigating hot
temperatures and high diurnal temperature variations. Wines are balanced, with juicy
fruit, fresh and structured in the mouth. Some wines have high alcohol content, but in
general this vintage is really interesting, with a good ageing potential.
2007. **
In 2007 bud break took place one month in advance. Summer was dry and hot, but vines
took advantage of high diurnal temperature variations. Persistent sirocco wind put to the
test younger vines and those more exposed. Luckily enough, at the end of August rainfall
activity gave new life to vineyards, saving the harvest. Veraison and maturation took
place earlier than usual. The result is dense wines, lacking fresh fruit and with Spartan
tannins. There are some exceptions and as a whole the quality of these wines is really
interesting.
Riserva Storica dei Sangiovesi di Romagna
Piazza della Libertà 10, 47032 Bertinoro (FC) - Segreteria: tel 347 1395224 email info@bertinorowines.it
2008. ****
Spring and early summer rich in rains, later summer quite dry. September without rain,
but the last part of the summer and the beginning of autumn were interesting, with useful
high diurnal temperature variations. Good grape ripening, that highlighted fresh fruit,
good acidity and balanced alcohol content. This harvest rewarded those who could or
had to wait for many reasons: exposition, clones, age of vines, altitude. Wines are
probably among the most interesting, after those of 2001, and have elegance, depth,
longevity and very recognisable typical features, especially as for savouriness and
austerity.
2009. ***
This vintage started without particular water stress and with water reserves in the soil.
Temperature and rainfalls in the average until the end of July. In August, especially from
the second to the third week, dry weather caused suffering in some vines. Despite this
event, maturation was regular and even earlier than usual in some areas, but harvest did
not need to be anticipated. The most interesting grapes were the clones of Sangiovese
that ripen later, harvested at the end of October. In this case, the excellent health of skins
allowed longer maceration. As a whole, quality in wine was more than good. If, on the
one hand, the climate conditions of August penalised some vineyards, on the other hand
the quality of some terroirs emerged, especially the in higher areas.
Wine are apt for ageing and have good texture. but maybe some unexpected surprises
will be missing.
2010. **
Vintage characterised by abundant rainfalls and many days below the average
temperature that slowed down the ripening of red grapes. Harvest of red grapes was
delayed and was difficult in some areas and expositions. Sangiovese resulted in elegant
and fine wines, sometimes with weak tannins, but interesting for aromas. Apart from the
general situation, there will be surprises for wines that will take advantage of freshness
and texture in the ageing process. Interesting vintage for white grapes that could develop
acidity, minerality and extensive aromas.
2011. ***
This harvest started with signs of precocity and the vine life developed in a season that
witnessed warm days alternated by a long period of cold and wet days. The véraison
took place in alternating weather as well: it started in an exceptionally cold July and
ended in a very hot, dry August. In August, in many cases, there was no high diurnal
temperature variation and a warm dehydrating wind blew continuously.
Sangiovese, especially in the oldest and most exposed vineyards, overcame difficulties
and developed aromas with the temperature variations of July. The best wines are
obtained from the late harvest given that the climate became regular in the second half of
September and in October.
The Sangiovese of 2011 vintage are interesting wines, balanced, with texture, with a good
ageing potential.
Riserva Storica dei Sangiovesi di Romagna
Piazza della Libertà 10, 47032 Bertinoro (FC) - Segreteria: tel 347 1395224 email info@bertinorowines.it