Conte Hugues Chardonnay Terre Siciliane I.G.T. 2018
Tenuta Rapitalà
As of the 2018 vintage, Tenuta Rapitalà’s Grand Cru has been renamed to Conte Hugues Chardonnay Sicilia DOC, in honor of Tenute Rapitalà’s founder and a great winemaker.
The chardonnay is a fine expression of the character of the estate. The selected parcels feature the estate’s oldest vines, planted in 1982. Specific vinification techniques enhance its typicity and its prestigious bottle, with a relief of the ancient and noble coat of arms of the family of Hugues Bernard Count de la Gatinais, makes “Grand Cru” a wine that represents the strong personality, legacy and singularity of the estate.
Terroir: Fully-ripe fruit is harvested in August. White-wine vinification includes a gentle pressing and cold settling of the young must, part of which undergoes a short (12 hours) cold maceration, followed by classic decanting and alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Vinification: The grapes are picked in August when they are fully ripe and richness is at its maximum. The grapes are gently pressed and cold settled. Part of the must undergoes a short (12 hours) cold maceration, followed by classic decanting. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. When the must achieves 4-5% alcohol, the wine is racked into French oak barriques where fermentation is completed. The wine then ages on its lees in French oak barriques for 9-12 months. It is then bottle refined for a minimum of three months before release.
Laurent de la Gatinais discusses Grand Cru
Additional Information
Pale gold color. The typical full, fruity, soft character of the chardonnay and the aromatic notes of the wood are evident on the nose. A round wine, with well-defined Mediterranean scents, full-bodied and satisfying with a long and lingering finish.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Sicilia IGT
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Loose clay
- Alcohol: 14%
- Ttl Acidity: 5.10 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 3.4 g/l
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Recent Press
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Score: 87 Points
Vinous Author: Eric Guido
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021"The 2018 Chardonnay Conte Hugues is understated, opening slowly to a nuanced display of candied almonds, ripe apples and hints of rich custard. It’s soft in texture, contracted by brisk acids and saline-mineral tones that give way to notes of nectarine and hints of peach. This becomes quite floral through the finale, yet it lacks persistence. While I appreciate the more delicate approach to Sicilian Chardonnay, the Conte Hugues simply leaves me longing." -
Score: 87 Points
Vinous Author: Eric Guido
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021"The 2018 Chardonnay Conte Hugues is understated, opening slowly to a nuanced display of candied almonds, ripe apples and hints of rich custard. It’s soft in texture, contracted by brisk acids and saline-mineral tones that give way to notes of nectarine and hints of peach. This becomes quite floral through the finale, yet it lacks persistence. While I appreciate the more delicate approach to Sicilian Chardonnay, the Conte Hugues simply leaves me longing." -
Score: 87 Points
Vinous Author: Eric Guido
Date: Friday, July 9, 2021"The 2018 Chardonnay Conte Hugues is understated, opening slowly to a nuanced display of candied almonds, ripe apples and hints of rich custard. It’s soft in texture, contracted by brisk acids and saline-mineral tones that give way to notes of nectarine and hints of peach. This becomes quite floral through the finale, yet it lacks persistence. While I appreciate the more delicate approach to Sicilian Chardonnay, the Conte Hugues simply leaves me longing."
