ANSONICA IN EXCELSIS

Born from the fusion of ancient winemaking traditions and modern techniques, the Tenuta’s flagship wine is the expression of an ancient, well-preserved winemaking enclave whose roots date back centuries.

From the start, there was no doubt that the Tenuta Isola nel Giglio project would centre on the grape variety that for centuries has demonstrated its elective affinity with this Mediterranean island paradise: Ansonica. Marrying advances in the science of wine with research in the vineyards and a sapient homage to Giglio’s traditional winemaking techniques, the result of the estate’s careful tutelage of the ancient patrimony it has been privileged to inherit is Scoglio Nero, a 100% Ansonica that aims to become a quality benchmark for the variety and the island terroir.

Although it is a white grape, Ansonica has such prominent tannins that the wines it produces are sometimes mistaken for reds during blind tastings.

By carefully monitoring the temperature-controlled fermentation of must and skins, we encourage this tannic backbone while curbing any excess. Ageing takes place in a mix of ceramic vessels – a contemporary evolution of traditional terracotta jars – and oak barrels. A period of bottle repose follows, to give time for this multi-faceted wine to fully express its potential.

Aromatically, Scoglio Nero delivers, from the very first sip, all the scents and sensations that pervade its island vineyard, from a great burst of floral notes associated with the surrounding Mediterranean garrigue (gorse, lentisk, helychrisium) to the salinity of the sea breeze that blows constantly in this well-ventilated spot. There’s an almost tactile hint of the granite that lies just below the soil, balanced by the softness of the carefully gauged tannins.