Pillitteri Estates Winery

2020 Riserva Famiglia Trivalente

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The “Riserva Famiglia” title is only given to wines produced in the best vintage years which have passed a rigorous tasting panel. Made in the traditional appassimento style, vine dried for 4 weeks past traditional harvest dates and then rack dried in a single layer for 26 days. Dried in an ambient environment with forced air circulation to allow the fruit to slowly dry. Small batch fermented and aged in french oak for 2 years.

2020 was a vintage for the ages (in more ways than one). The spring started off unseasonably warm and just got hotter as summer came. There was little rainfall and extended periods of perfect growing weather. In the fall the season was extended by warm weather right until the end of October. Look for some of the best wines Niagara has ever produced from this vintage.

Only produced in the absolute best growing seasons, Trivalente is our flagship blend inspired by the great red wines of Bordeaux France. Just like its classic French counterparts, it utilizes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but framed around a unique cool climate twist. Thanks to the overall quality of the 2020 vintage, a season that was hotter and drier than usual, we wanted to make something special to celebrate this once in a decade opportunity. The result is a combination of the absolute best barrels we had in 2020, specifically blended to showcase not only the quality of the season, but also the best each grape variety has to offer. This is clear the moment you see this wine’s deep ruby colour, acting as a preview of the profound experience that awaits. The nose has excellent complexity and intensity with a full spectrum of aromas, ranging from fruit descriptors like blackberry, black plum, and blueberry compote, to savory elements of liquorice and fresh mint leaf, plus all the dark chocolate, baking spice, clove, cedar, and vanilla you would expect from its long barrel aging. All of this flavor is present on the palate, which is full bodied and rich, but there is also an underlying sense of freshness stemming from its cool climate acidity that brings everything into balance. Although tannins are still youthful and will soften beautifully with age, its still approachable at this stage, displaying a wonderful creaminess that makes it feel silky smooth.

Technical Information

Appellation: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

Blend: 67% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon

Aging: 2 years in new French oak barriques

Brix after drying: 24.4

Alcohol: 14.9%alc./vol.

Residual sugar: 2.2g/L

Cellaring Capacity: 2030+

750ml bottle | Red Wine, Vin Rouge