LLS Portfolio Book

Tenimenti d’Alessandro

The d’Alessandro family moved to Cortona from Rome in 1968. 20 years later the family’s wine estate, Tenimenti d’Alessandro, began experiments on 5 hectares of land planted by leading Italian agronomist, Professor Attilio Scienza. Professor Scienza spent the next four years conducting tests on each plot within those 5 hectares until he determined that Syrah was the variety best suited to the soils in this location. This marked a turning point in Cortona’s winemaking history as the small hilltop town in eastern Tuscany, up to this point, had not been known as a quality wine-producing zone. Syrah’s affinity for Cortona’s hot and dry climate was so profound that Tenimenti d’Alessandro gradually planted another 40 hectares of the grape between 1993 and 2002. In that time the Syrah- based wines from Tenimenti d’Alessandro have won praise and recognition internationally. Cortona earned DOC status in 1999, and thanks to the collaboration between winemakers, Filippo Calabresi and Luca Currado, Tenimenti d’Alessandro continues to translate the best of Cortona’s terroir through the Syrah grape. “Bianco del Borgo” Viognier Toscana IGT Bianco del Borgo is the entry-level Viognier of Tenimenti d’Alessandro. The wine is made from 100% Viognier, harvested from the clay soils of the property’s youngest vineyard (planted 2003 – 2004.) It is fermented and aged in stainless-steel tanks for eight to ten months.

“Fontarca” Viognier Toscana IGT Fontarca (named for a “fonte” or natural spring near the vineyard) is 100% Viognier from a single vineyard planted in 1991. The vineyard is densely planted at 7,000 to 8,500 plants per hectare between 290 and 300 meters above sea level. Fontarca is partially fermented and aged in large, truncated French oak casks for 18 months.

“Pepe Rosa” Rosato Toscana IGT This rosato of Syrah is named “Pepe Rosa” (pink pepper) referring to the wine’s color and spicy character. The grapes are harvested in the first two weeks of September to retain freshness. Pepe Rosa’s pink color is obtained during six hours of maceration before fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

“Borgo” Syrah Cortona DOC Borgo Syrah is the “village” wine of Tenimenti d’Alessandro and is intended as an introduction to Cortona’s terroir. The wine is from the youngest vineyards on the estate and mechanization is allowed for certain operations. Borgo Syrah is completely destemmed and vinified in stainless steel tanks and concrete vats for 12 months.

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WINES OF CENTRAL ITALY