Il Nicchio is Cabernet Franc, though in select vintages they reserve the right to add a few percentage points of Merlot.   The base is the north face of the Bellaria vineyard on the border of Bolgheri and Bibbona. Malolactic occurs in 80% in barriques, 20% in stainless steel.  Aging is in barrel (80% new) for 16 months, and then held back in bottle for a few years before release in a wood box three-pack.