Also in this region growers were extremely happy with the results of the  harvest. 2004 was a year with balanced climatic conditions. Springtime was rainy and summer was cool with some rains. Consequently there was no drought and no hydric stress for the vines. Due to the prolonged cold season in springtime there was a late vegetative recovery and ripening was even and slow. In general harvest was later than the previous vintages. During this vintage, due to the high potential production, good vineyard management was essential: in fact there was a large difference between the results obtained in estates where management was careful and where it was not. Because of the even climate and the dry harvest period the resulting quality of the wines is good. In general the wines have intense colour, good polyphenolic ripening, fruity tones, good content in acidity, good balance and structure and high natural alcohol percentage.

San Pancrazio (Chianti Colli Fiorentini): “Quality of wines is high, colour is good, there was a good polyphenolic ripening, harvest started at the end of September and continued in October” (Riccardo Galli agronomist-oenologist of Fattoria di Lucignano).

Gaiole in Chianti (Chianti Classico): “For the first time in the last decade 2004 went back to the normal standards of the area, in fact Sangiovese grapes were harvested from the 5t h to the 15t h of October. Also the climate respected the old Chianti tradition, that is a summer with a bit of rain…………..wines have a very intense colour, fruity tones, high natural alcohol percentage and are well balanced. They are wines with great potential. 2004 reminds me of 1997. We would like all vintages to be as 2004!”(Sandro Sderci owner of Il Palazzino)

S. Casciano dei Bagni, Siena (Chianti DOCG): “Wines are well-balanced, with an average alcohol content, acidity content was good, colours (tending more towards ruby red) are less intense than 2003. ” (Giacomo Mori) Harvest took place from the 23r d of September till the 23r d of October.

Montalcino: “…….Wines have a good content in tannins and are perfect. 2004 wines will be suitable for long aging. The vintage is similar to 1999 and 2001” (Luciano Sassetti son of the owner of Azienda Agricola Pertimali) Sangiovese was harvested in the first two weeks of October.

Carmignano: “2004 was a vintage that is perhaps similar to the vintages of the late eighties………..Wines have an excellent natural acidity, great colour, they are very well balanced, have a high alcohol percentage, but they also have a good content in polyphenols………..This was a wonderful harvest!” (Giuseppe Rigoli owner of Fattoria Ambra) Harvest of Merlot grapes took place at the end of September, while Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested in October.

Montepulciano: “….in this area vegetative recovery of the vines was late, ripening was gradual and Sangiovese completed ripening quite late………The main characteristics of the 2004 wines are good acidity content, very intense colour, they are well-structured, have a good content in polyphenols, extraordinary nose. ” (Giuseppe Rigoli consulting agronomist-oenologist of Tenuta della Seta).

San Gimignano (Vernaccia DOCG, Chianti Colli Senesi): “2004 is a lucky vintage for white wines. It rained in July and at the beginning of August, but the grapes did not suffer. White wines (Vernaccia) are fresh, aromatic, with a good acidity content…….The red wines are aromatic, fresh, with a good acidity content, silky tannins and are very drinkable, natural alcohol percentage was 13” (Simone Santini owner of Tenuta Le Calcinaie) Vernaccia grapes were harvested from the 22n d to the 30t h of September; red varietals were harvested from the end of September till the 7t h of October.

Fosdinovo (Vermentino Colli di Luni DOC): ” 2004 was a good vintage. It rained till mid May, therefore the vines developed later. It was a splendid vintage for early varietals such as Vermentino, Merlot, Sauvignon………the wines have excellent aroma” (Ivan Giuliani owner of Azienda Agricola Terenzuola) Vermentino grapes were harvested from the 7t h till the 20t h of October.

Tuscan Maremma: “in 2004 yields and quality were high. Harvest was later in comparison to the previous years. The summer was cool……There were no problems due to the heat nor due to humidity, Wines are well balanced with fruity tones. The content in acidity is good.” (Carlo Falciani owner of Azienda Agricola I Campetti) Viognier and Merlot grapes were harvested around the 10t h of September. Sangiovese was then harvested on and off till the 10t h of October.