Ferragamo releases CNY Zodiac Rooster wine

The premium Italian estate, Castiglion del Bosco, has released its limited production 2010 Zodiac Rooster Brunello DOCG in a bid to charm Chinese wine consumers ahead of Chinese New Year.

The Zodiac Rooster’s label has been drawn by Beijing visual artist, Shao Fan

Massimo Ferragamo, son of the Italian fashion magnate, Salvatore Ferragamo started the Zodiac Collection four years ago in response to increasing interest from Chinese wine consumers in his luxury resort and wine estate, Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino.

Hailing from a tiny two-hectare plot and bottled generally only in magnum, each vintage of the Zodiac is released in the Chinese lucky number configurations of 688 or 888 bottles and have hand-drawn labels designed by various famous Chinese artists.

To commemorate the Red Fire Rooster year – and his own Chinese zodiac sign – Ferragamo has released his Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 Zodiac Rooster, complete with a hefty US$1,000 price tag and an extremely limited production of 688 bottles.

Widely regarded as one of the best years for Brunello, 2010 was characterised by near-perfect weather conditions over a long growing season, resulting in a ripe, opulent style. Hong Kong wine critic, James Suckling has already given a high rating of 99 points to Ferragamo’s Zodiac Rooster.

Bought by Ferragamo in 2003, the Castilgion del Bosco estate is now the fifth largest producer of Brunello di Montalcino and has 62 hectares dedicated to almost exclusively growing Sangiovese.