The Cicinis Sauvignon Blanc is an utterly distinctive expression of Sauvignon Blanc. From a single vineyard in the Collio area, the tremendous density and aromatics are joined by a deep and complex texture due to the aging in oak barrels and cement eggs. Truly the Attems flagship.

Vineyard

Cicinis comes from a 5 acre single vineyard parcel located on a terraced hillside slope at the foot of Monte Calvario (Podgora) in Collio Goriziano. One side faces south, the other faces north-northeast. The soil consists of sandstone, which was formed by the rising of seabeds 50 million years ago. The vines are trained to Guyot and have a planting density of 6,250 vines per hectare.
The estate in general extends over 110 acres on south-facing terraced slopes, just to the west of Gorizia, protected from both the cold northern winds and the characteristic “bora” wind of Trieste. The area is particularly suited to viticulture, making Friuli Venezia Giulia one of the leading grape-growing regions of Italy already since the end of the 19th century.
The estate is surrounded by nature that is unspoiled and rich in biodiversity, important factors even in the cultivation of grape vines. The three distinctive features of the this territory are the soils, the temperature fluctuations, and the sunlight.

The Attems estate has three distinct types of soils that are an enormous asset:
– The Isonzo section features floodplains with a sand, silt and gravel soil. It tends to be warmer and wetter than other areas of the estate. This, combined with its gentle winds, creates an ideal combination for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are harvested earlier to enhance the freshness and fruitiness of the wines.
– The middle area of the property, known as “manine” is a primarily flat area set between Collio and Isonzo, characterised by loamy soils with good drainage. The varieties planted here are Pinot Grigio and Ribolla Gialla, characterised by their refined elegance.
– The highest, coolest and windiest part of the estate is in Collio. It takes its name “ponca” from a particular sandstone soil with alternating layers of marl, the composition of which originated millions of years ago. An ideal soil for viticulture, able to affect the aromatic characteristics of grapes and the flavor of the resulting wine. The grapes grown here are Sauvignon Blanc, Friulano and Picolit. The Cicinis hill is dedicated to the Sauvignon Blanc variety and harvested at two different moments, first in the lower parts and then in the higher areas.
The temperature of the region is the second major factor affecting the vineyards. Winters are harsh, with temperatures that often fall below zero. Summers are not excessively hot, with maximum temperatures below 30°C. The hilly layout of the area generates significant temperature fluctuations between daytime and nighttime. The combination of these conditions promotes the accumulation of sugars, pigments and aromatic substances in the grapes.
Lastly, sunlight has a critical role in how grapes ripen, given Attems’ location fewer than 10 miles from the Adriatic coast. The refractive effect of the sunlight on the Gulf of Trieste gives Collio a particularly intense and unique luminosity that, between August and September, contributes to the optimal ripening of grapes. Together with the significant temperature fluctuations, the refractive sunlight effect creates an ideal climate for the production of excellent white wines.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented whole cluster in egg-shaped cement tanks and wooden barrels (40% second and third passage tonneaux, 10% barrique). The wine then matures in a combination of French oak barrels (65%) and egg-shaped cement vats (45%) for 9 months. It rests in bottle for 3 months before release.

Vintage

Winter 2020 was very balanced with temperatures that never dropped too low. A mild March was the signal for an early budding phase facilitated by the quick warming of the soil, which in turn stimulated the grapevines’ vegetative growth. The months of May and April were rather dry, which allowed the young shoots to develop regularly. The flowering phase of this variety completed its cycle by the beginning of June. June was the wettest month of the summer, but thanks to the constant air currents in the vineyards and the timely leaf removal in the pre-cluster closure, we created an ideal microclimate, guaranteeing a perfect flowering and the resulting formation of young clusters. The correct water balance in July and August, with regular rains alternating with dry spells, without it ever being excessively hot, helped to maintain an ideal balance between sugars and organic acids in the ripening grapes. The Cicinis Sauvignon harvest began on August 27 in the coolest hours of the morning. This year, the bunches were sparse with a thick and crunchy skin. The harvest then continued in the following days; each portion of the hill is harvested only when the grapes reach their maximum aromatic expression

Tasting note

Straw yellow in color, Cicinis 2020 is a wine that immediately shows off enveloping aromas of citrus, papaya and the inevitable impression of sage, followed by hints of vanilla, moka and a crescendo of boxwood and jasmine. On the palate, the wine enchants with the balance between its fresh acidity and enveloping body. In the finish, hints of lime, white blackberry and the unmistakable savory sensation of the wines born in Gorizia’s Collio emerge.