TASTING NOTES:
Color: Ruby red with violet hues
Aroma: Intense and intriguing on the nose. Notes of ripe cherries, plums, and blackberries typical of Sangiovese fade into hints of sweet tobacco, mint, and spices imparted by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting profile: Full bodied with a modern style, this wine is rich with silky tannins and a long finish of vanilla and red berry. The mouthfeel is pleasant and fresh as Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot weave together with finesse, each adding its own distinctive character.
Pairing: Modus can be enjoyed on its own, or with a broad range of bold dishes such
as steak, pastas with Bolognese sauce, and ossobuco.
GRAPE VARIETIES:
50% Sangiovese
25% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Merlot
VINEYARDS:
Place of production: Sourced predominantly from the vineyards of Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano and Santedame Estates
Soil: Hilly land with poor, clay and limestone soils, rich in fossil matter
Mesoclimate: Variable, with wide day-to-night temperature swings, which bring out rich flavors in the grapes
Altitude: 951–1,150 feet (290–350 meters) above sea level
Growing system: Cordon trained
Vine density: 2,020 vines per acre (5,000 vines per hectare)
Age of vineyards: Most of the Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes used in Modus come from recently planted vineyards with a modern growing system
VINIFICATION AND AGING:
Fermentation: Each varietal was vinified independently, fermenting in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel vats at an average temperature of 82°F (28°C) for 10 days. The wine was then allowed to macerate on the skins for another two weeks.
Aging: After completing malolactic fermentation, the three varietals were blended and aged for 12 months in 60-gallon (225 liter) French and American oak casks—a blend of old and new—and then aged in the bottle for at least six months before release.
Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.