SATÈN
Its brilliant gold hue and dense, creamy bead of pin-point bubbles are every bit as refined as its intense, clean-edged aromatics.
Profile
Appearing an intense gold, Satèn initially releases generously- forward fruit of mandarin and candied ginger, only to quickly summon up a majestic personality deep with scents of butter caramels and macadamias, shot through with a shimmering vein of tropical fruit. With a depth not unlike that of a well of crystalline wate, the palate nevertheless boasts an elegant audacity perfectly expressive of chardonnay’s genius for evolving, with a perduring earthy minerality cossetted and smoothed by sun-blest summer fruit. Creamy and beguiling, it continues its protean evolution in the flute, in a duet of petit fours and light-footed crystallised fruit, all in an atmosphere of radiant, vivacious joy.
Grapes and vineyards
An unceasing striving for quality in harmony with nature
The Chardonnay grapes are grown in estate vineyards, facing east-southeast. Flat and slightly rolling area in the morainic area, with loose, medium-fertile soils and medium-deep pebble admixture.
On exit, green as freshly-clipped shoots, and equally vibrant.
The mousse of this Satèn, richly complex, motile, and quicksilver, offers homogeneous spherules of the most miniscule calibre, of a pristine whiteness. The very delicate bead, at first hesitant but then resolute, crystallises into a fabulous, finely-laced crown. The nose is sculpted from white- and golden-fleshed fruit, exciting spring wildflowers, vanilla and pastry crème, nor does it lack the immature crispness of green leaves, and summer’s shadowed canopies. The tiniest hint of cane sugar syrup draws out and balances its progression. Purest silk is tactile on the palate, from the very first drop, delicately saline, in prey to its seductive effervescence, both sly and cheerful from the very start. Then, at once, it expands dense and rubicund, although it preserves the clean dryness and reserve classic to elegance. On exit, green as freshly-clipped shoots, and equally vibrant.
Stefano Caffarri
Technical features
Vinification
White-wine process, utilisation of membrane press, with separation of 1st and 2nd pressings. After 12 hours of static settling at 15°C, inoculation with cultured yeasts and cool-temperature fermentation in steel, and in small barrels. Partial malolactic fermentation, and racking before assemblageof the Cuvée. In spring the liqueur de tirage is added, the bottle receives crowncap, and is laid down to develop effervescence.
Maturation ageing
The tiered-up bottles remain in our cellars for at least 36 months before riddling. The sediment is then removed and they are given the Brut-style liqueur d’expedition, then corked and wired. This Franciacorta then rests in the bottle a further three months before release.
Alcohol
12,5% vol.
Component grape varieties
Chardonnay
Vineyard location and exposure
In our estate vineyards with east-southeast exposure.
Soil profile
Flat and rolling land in morainic deposit, of medium fertility, loose, with good texture to medium-depth
Trainig system
Guyot
Yield per hectare
80 quintals of grapes/hectare = 52 hectolitres/hectare.
Harvest
Hand picked from 20 to 30 August.
Year first produced
1996
Formats
0.75 L (29,96) – 1.5 L (1,000) – 3 L (100)