Nitrito Cabernet Sauvignon Valdarno di Sopra DOC 2018 - Il Borro

Terroir and Animal Traction Philosophy of Nitrito Valdarno di Sopra DOC

The Nitrito Valdarno di Sopra DOC from the Il Borro estate stands as a definitive statement of agronomic innovation and regenerative organic viticulture. This pure Cabernet Sauvignon originates from a single premium parcel managed exclusively through the traditional practice of animal traction using draft horses. The name celebrates the horse’s whinny, an identity choice that highlights a return to artisanal vineyard craft. This ancestral method completely eliminates the soil compaction caused by heavy mechanical tractors, fully protecting soil porosity, root aeration, and the structural depth of the underground microflora to yield a dry red wine of exceptional power.

Climatic Features and Technical Cellar Protocol

The vegetative cycle benefited from a well-balanced seasonal pattern, characterized by a mild spring with excellent water reserves and a warm summer driven by sharp diurnal temperature shifts. This microclimate secured a gradual and complete phenolic ripening of the clusters, concentrating dry extracts without altering the fresh structural acidity. Hand-harvesting targets peak operational windows using small bins. In the cellar, the must undergoes alcoholic fermentation and a prolonged skin-contact maceration inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats to maximize the extraction of noble tannins, followed by traditional oak cask maturation to secure polyphenol stabilization prior to bottling.

Sensory profile of Nitrito Valdarno di Sopra DOC Il Borro

The vitality of an uncompacted soil matrix and disciplined oak aging shape a clean organoleptic identity marked by dense extraction clarity.

• Appellation, Blend, and ABV: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon / Valdarno di Sopra DOC / 15.00% ABV / Volume: 750 ml / Certified Organic / Managed entirely through draft horse labor, vinified in stainless steel with completed malolactic conversion, and aged in oak casks.
• Visual Presentation: Deep, almost impenetrable ruby red color, displaying an exceptional chromatic density and great structural weight upon swirling.
• Aromatic Bouquet: Broad, intense, and tightly woven on the nose. Clean notes of plum jam, cassis, and wild blackberries unfold, layered with refined undertones of black pepper, minty balsamic echoes, and deep mineral hints of graphite and forest floor.
• Palate Texture: Full-bodied, expansive, and highly structured on the entry. The mid-palate delivers a velvety framework where rich, dense polyphenols perfectly balance the high alcohol weight, driven by a vibrant structural acidity and persistent salinity that lead into a savory, long finish.

Food Pairings and Serving Recommendations

The bold structural fullness and robust tannic weave of this single-vineyard Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon demand flavorful culinary options capable of matching its overall depth across traditional land-based gastronomy.

• Game and Red Meats: Pairs naturally and with absolute elegance with robust main courses such as venison fillet with wild blueberry reductions, traditional Tuscan wild boar stew, and premium grilled beef steaks.
• Pasta and Cheese Pairings: Offers a fascinating match for rich pasta options with game ragù reductions and a select choice of long-aged hard pecorino or cow cheeses.
• Serving Conditions: To allow the dense tannic structure to soften and the complex aromatic layers to unfold completely, use a wide Bordeaux glass and serve at a steady temperature of 16 - 18°C.